Clearing the Way: Wescom Defence Minefield Breaching Systems
At Wescom Defence, part of Wescom Group, we understand that combatant mobility is the key to mission success. Modern battlefields are deliberately shaped with minefields, wire, and improvised obstacles to halt momentum and expose troops to risk. The ability to breach obstacles quickly, safely, and predictably is what allows forces to regain the initiative and maintain operational tempo.
Our Portable Breaching Systems
We have developed a family of Man Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching Systems to give forces assured mobility and tactical edge.
- Heavy Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System (HPOMBS), designed for power and reliability, it clears a 50 cm wide path extending up to 55m in length, creating a precise safe lane through minefields and obstacles. Compact enough for carriage yet powerful enough to cut through dense threats, it provides predictable clearance in the most demanding environments.
- Light Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System (LPOMBS), optimised for light infantry and special forces, it clears up to 74 m. This allows troops to move safely through a minefield on foot, combining rapid deployment with portability for small, agile teams.
Both systems are rocket deployed and designed for fast setup under fire, giving operators the confidence to breach obstacles with minimum exposure.
Use in the Field, human operators, civil works, and unmanned teaming
We design our systems for operational realities, and that means supporting a range of deployment models on the ground.
- Direct tactical deployment: Small teams can carry and deploy LPOMBS (one personnel) and HPOMBS (two personnel) to create immediate access for dismounted troops by creating safe lanes where heavier engineer assets are not available. The compact nature of LPOMBS in particular lets special operations teams react rapidly to evolving threats and exploit fleeting opportunities.
- Humanitarian and infrastructure support: These systems are not limited to pure combat roles. They have been used to open corridors in minefields to restore critical services and permit repair teams into damaged areas, demonstrating how tactical breaching capability can also enable vital civil and humanitarian tasks.
- Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) integration: For reduced risk and increased tempo, our breaching solutions are routinely integrated with UGV platforms. Tracked UGVs such as Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS are being deployed in mine-clearing roles and adapted with modules for mine and UXO clearance, logistics support, and casualty evacuation. Combining man-portable breaching kits with UGV mobility reduces operator exposure and allows breaching to be conducted in hazardous environments with lower signature and greater persistence. Milrem’s THeMIS family is a mature modular platform that has been fielded in multiple configurations for mine clearance and support tasks.
- Industry ecosystem and partnerships: The rapid development of UGV capability has attracted collaboration across European defence industry groups. Major integrators and prime groups, including KNDS, are actively demonstrating and developing modular UGV solutions in cooperation with Milrem and other robotics firms, underscoring an ecosystem approach to bringing robotic breaching and support solutions into service. This industry momentum lowers the barrier for fielding automated or semi-automated breaching options in support of dismounted and mounted forces.
Training for real-world readiness
We also provide training variants that replicate the look, feel, and drill sequence of live systems while enabling safe instruction and repeated practice. Our training kits allow operators to build muscle memory and confidence before progressing to live firing exercises with consumable components. This staged approach ensures troops are fully prepared for operational use while keeping training cost effective.
Built for the modern battlefield
Our breaching systems are engineered for maximum safety, reliability, and performance across environments, from urban warfare to desert operations. Key benefits include:
- Straight-line accuracy, producing predictable lanes.
- Packable portability, ensuring dismounted units can carry and deploy effectively.
- Rapid deployment, reducing time exposed to hostile fire.
- Compatibility with unmanned systems, allowing commanders to choose manned, unmanned, or blended employment based on risk and tempo.
These capabilities give commanders practical options to sustain manoeuvre and protect personnel when obstacles threaten to stop them.
Enabling operational advantage
Whether supporting high intensity conflict, peacekeeping missions, or specialised operations, our breaching solutions give commanders the assurance that forces can manoeuvre when it matters most. Integrating man-portable breaching systems with UGVs, and training both personnel and robotic crews, is an important step toward lowering risk and accelerating tempo in contested environments.
At Wescom Defence, we are committed to shaping the future of obstacle and minefield breaching, delivering solutions that help forces move, protect personnel, and achieve mission success.