MRead Completes Ukraine Reconnaissance Ahead of NPA Sensor Trials

The visit, conducted by John Shanahan and Jonathon Guthrie ahead of the trials, served a dual purpose: finalise operational planning with NPA and engage key government, defence, and innovation stakeholders across Kyiv.

Trials planning with NPA is now well advanced. The Ukraine trials will run concurrently with MRead's separate trials with The HALO Trust in Angola, two simultaneous, independent field validations that together mark the most significant milestone in the company's development to date.

On the Ground in Ukraine

The reconnaissance provided an unfiltered view of the operational environment MRead's sensor is being designed to serve. The scale of landmine contamination across Ukraine, a direct consequence of ongoing Russian attacks, reinforces both the urgency and the relevance of MRead's mission to make explosive detection faster, more accurate, and safer for deminers on the front lines.

Government and Defence Engagement

MRead held substantive meetings with senior Ukrainian officials during the Kyiv visit:

Colonels Drobot and Berehulia, Ministry of Defence provided direct operational guidance and identified key capability requirements for MRead to address in its development roadmap.

Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy raised critical issues related to technology adoption and economic integration, feedback that will directly shape MRead's path to commercialisation in Ukraine.

The Innovation Team, State Emergency Services (SESU) also met with MRead to discuss potential integration of the sensor technology within Ukraine's national demining framework. Their institutional involvement is considered essential to MRead's in-country strategy.

New Partnerships and Commercial Opportunities

MRead extends its sincere thanks to H.E. Vasyl Myroshnychenko for facilitating introductions to Yuri Sak and Denys Ganzha of CFC Big Ideas, who have identified promising applications for MRead's technology. Those conversations are ongoing.

Several leading Ukrainian technology companies were also visited during the reconnaissance. Their speed, capability, and focus on practical outcomes make them compelling potential partners as MRead moves toward manufacturing and platform integration.

The Australian Embassy in Kyiv, through Colonel Tony Bennett DSM and Bartek Raszewski, continues to provide invaluable in-country support.

What Comes After the Trials

On completion of the NPA Ukraine and HALO Angola trials, MRead moves directly into manufacturing. In parallel, development of TNT detection capability is already underway, with the longer-term roadmap targeting a fully integrated sensor platform combining MRead's MR sensor with complementary sensors, drones, and robotics.

About the NPA Ukraine Trials

Norwegian People's Aid is one of the world's leading humanitarian demining organisations. The forthcoming trials will put MRead's Gen2.0 sensor to work in live operational conditions, the proving ground where technology meets reality.

The trials location, deep in the field, is exactly where MRead belongs.

For media and partnership enquiries, contact MRead at info@mread.com.au

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