Experts from Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Sweden are taking place in the first European Manual Neutralisation Training (MNT) in Vienna this week.
Manual Neutralisation is used in situations when it is not possible to for a bomb disposal expert to use remote techniques to neutralise an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). By their nature these are the most dangerous situations, for example where it is not possible to evacuate the surrounding area or where an IED has been attached to a hostage.
The MNT Course – which takes place from 5 May to 6 June involves experienced experts from each participating country. Due to the high level nature of the course, it focuses on developing and enhancing the skills needed to neutralise complex devices under dangerous situations. It is the first of four courses that will take place over the next four years.
The training will make use of kits developed by EDA to defuse improvised explosive devices. In total twelve kits have been given to the Austrian Armed Forces to be stored at the Handentschärferlehrgängen Army Logistics School. These kits are available on request for training or operational use by all of the participating Member States.
IEDs – a continuing threat
IEDs have been, and will continue to be, a major threat to armed forces and civilians around the world. Although in the media, they have been most heavily associated with the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq they continue to be a significant threat in a variety locations. EDA has been working in the area for a long time, helping to support coalition forces in Afghanistan through the C-IED Lab and through support for training and exercises in Europe such as MNT.
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