Australia orders mine, IED detection equipment from EPE

The Australian Department of Defence has awarded a contract to the Brisbane-based company EPE to supply specialist tools under the military’s DEF08101 joint counter-explosive hazards programme.

According to Asian Military Review, EPE announced the deal on 18 June, with the equipment helping EOD personnel to find, analyse, neutralise and exploit explosives hazards. The company said older Australian Defence Force ADF equipment facing obsolescence will be replaced.

EPE commented: "This single-source award offers greater assurance of the acquisition process, and greater opportunity for collaboration and controlled evolution of the search capability, with EPE managing the supply chain network and specialist training."

The company also noted that the equipment to be supplied will include the Institut Dr. Foerster Ferex 4.035 Digital Fluxgate Magnetometer for the location of deeply buried ordnance, supplied through KK&S Instruments; and the Minelab MDS-20 handheld dual-sensor counter-IED detector.

Ben Harvey, Executive General Manager at Minelab, said: "The delivery of 205 MDS-20 counter-IEDs detectors to the Australian Defence Force reflects Minelab’s sustained investment in advanced detection technologies. The MDS-20 is the result of decades of investment in Australian engineering and detection expertise, designed to deliver reliable performance in complex and high-risk environments to help keep people safe."

The company further explained: "The MDS-20 integrates advanced metal detection and ground penetrating radar technologies to deliver exceptional detection of low- and no-metal explosive hazards, and the most challenging improvised explosive devices in a compact, lightweight platform."

This article was originally published on Exposure Report on 1 July 2026.