Germany launches competition for UAVs to detect mines

Germany has launched a competition for the supply of UAVs equipped with magnetometers, to assess whether these combined systems could accelerate mine and ordnance detection. 

Magnetometers can detect small shifts in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by the presence of the ferrous metals used in mines, such as steel and iron. 

Alongside shortened detection timeframes, BWI – Germany’s IT service provider owned by the country’s Federal Ministry of Defence – will also investigate how these systems can make detection more “effective” and lower associated risks. 

The competition notice, published on the BWI procurement platform on 9 September, says that the organisation is planning to award the chosen vendor with a EUR5-7.6 million framework agreement. 

What else does the contract involve? 

Besides the UAV-based detection capability, BWI says it requires the supplier to provide “perpetual” licensing of the software used by the systems. 

Maintenance and support services, as well as any “further development” and user training are also sought. 

The initial contract duration within the framework agreement is one year; however, this may be extended for one year up to three times. 

Interested companies must enter the competition via BWI’s procurement platform, by the deadline on 12 October.