Remote mine warfare: US sends key systems to Ukraine for frontline defence

Ukraine is set to receive three advanced systems for the remote emplacement of anti-personnel mines from the United States as part of the latest US military aid package.

These systems, which were detailed by The New York Times, include the 155mm Area Denial Artillery Munition (ADAM), the portable MOPMS (Modular Pack Mine System), and the Volcano mine-laying system, per Caliber.Az.

The 155mm M692 and M731 ADAM artillery shells are designed to remotely deploy anti-personnel mines. Each shell contains 36 mines, which include two types: the M67 long-acting mines, which self-destruct in 48 hours, and the M72 short-acting mines, which self-destruct in just 4 hours. These mines are equipped with a mechanism that disperses seven wire "stretch pins" upon impact. When these wires are triggered, a knockout charge is set off. The effective radius for these mines is 7 meters. If not detonated, these mines will become inactive within 14 days as the battery powering their detonation mechanism discharges.

In addition, Ukraine will receive the M131 MOPMS, a portable system designed for tactical use. This system consists of modules that hold 17 M78 anti-tank mines and 4 M77 anti-personnel fragmentation mines, all of which are also equipped with self-destruct features. This modular system allows for flexibility in deployment and enhances tactical mine-laying capabilities.

The US is also supplying the Volcano remote mine-laying system to Ukraine. The Volcano system employs pre-packed containers that hold both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. These mines are dispersed over large areas once the containers are fired. The Volcano system can be deployed from both ground-based platforms and airborne carriers, including helicopters.

This increased aid comes as part of broader US support to Ukraine, which has been dealing with ongoing military threats. In a separate development, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga requested NATO’s assistance in strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. He called for at least 20 additional air defence systems, including Hawk, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems, to help mitigate the impact of Russian air attacks.

Sibiga highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that Russian missile strikes continue to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with the aim of causing blackouts. He expressed gratitude for NATO’s previous responses but stressed the need for further support to safeguard Ukraine’s power grid and prevent further damage to its civilian infrastructure.

By Tamilla Hasanova