By LTC Witold Plezia, project manager, NATO EOD COE
BACKGROUND
In 2025 the NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Center of Excellence (EOD COE) organized its diamond event – the 8th NATO EOD Demonstration and Trials (D and T). The biennial event, co-sponsored by NATO Defence Against Terrorism Programme of Work (DAT POW) established under the auspices of the NATO Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Division and supported by Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, took place at INCHEBA Expo in Bratislava, October 08-09, 2025. Bringing together EOD/ IEDD experts, scientists, manufacturers, industry representatives and SMEs, the EOD COE provides a common platform for discussing technological solutions and innovations that improve Alliance forces interoperability and enhance the capabilities of EOD personnel to protect forces and civilian population. The Demonstrations and Trials also assist in guiding future technological development.
The 8th edition was the largest so far. Over 570 registered visitors from 28 NATO and NATO partnership countries had the opportunity to see 53 exhibitors from 21 countries, 13 speakers, and 222 minutes of live demonstrations. During two days of static exhibition, live demonstrations and conference, visitors were acquainted with the latest EOD technology achievements.
Traditionally, D and T is divided into two days. The first day featured Live demonstrations of technological innovations designed to promote common understanding and further develop EOD capabilities, while the second day was dedicated to the conference discussions aimed at addressing shared challenges, identifying capability gaps, and finding new opportunities for collaboration. The conference’s main theme was “EOD in NATO Multi-Domain Operations”. A static exhibition was also held during these two days – a common platform for manufacturers, research and development institutes, NATO organizations, and nations to present their needs for EOD equipment and the latest technological solutions.
OPENING CEREMONY
Opening ceremony was hosted by Mrs. Aneta Pariskova, accompanied by SVK military orchestra and the Guard of Honour of Slovak Armed Forces. The Inauguration speech was delivered by 2nd State Secretary of SVK Ministry of Defence Mr. Martin Vojtasovic as well as by Director of the NATO EOD COE, COL Frantisek Mihalovic who highlighted the importance of the event for the NATO EOD community of interest, and recalled the achievements of NATO EOD COE.
Honour Guard during the opening ceremony. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
Welcome speech of 2nd State Secretary of SVK Ministry of Defence Mr. Martin Vojtasovic. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
During the first day of the NATO EOD Demonstrations and Trials, the companies had the opportunity to present new trends and technologies as well as their products in the field of EOD through Live Demonstrations. This part of event, hosted by CPT Radek Michalka CZE (A) took place mainly indoors, however some companies with heavy equipment (e.g. explosion proof container, heavy robots, demining machine) presented it outside by the main entrance of INCHEBA pavilion.
Demonstrations included the following categories:
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs),
- Detection and Identification, Demining,
- EOD tools for operator’s safety
- and finally AI Support to EOD.
Over 222 minutes, 16 companies delivered memorable presentations that allowed guests to learn about the latest technological advancements and new solutions important for the EOD Community of Interest (COI).
Outdoor Live Demonstration. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
Outdoor Live Demonstration. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
Outdoor Live Demonstration. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
CONFERENCE
The conference titled “EOD in Multi-Domain Operations” was divided into two blocks.
During Block 1 “Threats identified from current conflicts and their influence on training procedures, tactics and military requirements” led by CPT Simon Brigant, SVK (A), seven speakers explained the role of EOD units in Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) as well as familiarized the audience with the newest threats, mainly in Land, Maritime and Air domains.
By properly defining problems, gaps and threats by military specialists, we can provide researchers, academia and manufacturers with the space to find appropriate solutions, which was the goal of Block 2 of the conference, hosted by LTC PhD Alexander Hugyar SVK (A). Its title “New technologies as a response to modern warfare identified threats and military requirements” reflected the purpose of the six speakers’ presentations.
The outcomes of the conference will be part of the final product of the NATO EOD Demonstrations and Trials 2025 – Book of Papers, scheduled for release in January 2026, and will include abstracts from the following presentations:
Conference ́s speaker Mr. Ohad Milo. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
Discussion during the conference. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
Honouring of speakers. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
STATIC EXHIBITION
One of the objectives of the event was to provide a forum for equipment manufacturers to meet with end-users, enabling networking and direct feedback, reflecting the core idea and motto of the NATO EOD Demonstrations and Trials 2025.
During the static exhibition, 53 companies and other exhibitors presented high value and high-tech equipment:
- Detectors, including digital radiography solutions and chemical analysers;
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and robot dog platforms;
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs);
- Devices for neutralization and disposal of hazardous materials;
- Equipment for personal protection of EOD personnel;
- EOD training tools, including virtual reality and mixed reality;
- Demining machinery;
- EOD Tool kits and pyrotechnical solutions;
- EOD related institutions.
Thanks to the static exhibition, visitors were able to convince themselves that development in the EOD area is ongoing and significantly influenced by the current armed conflicts. Producers rapidly react to emerging warfare threats, thereby keeping pace with their development by seeking better solutions related to EOD operator protection, detection, and disposal of all types of explosive threats.
 Presentation of Boston Dynamics Company “Robodog”. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO |
 Exhibition. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO |
ETACS Project ́s stand during the exhibition. Photo credit: Jaroslav LACKO
OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS FOR EOD COI
Demonstrations and Trials 25 event is a well-known platform for information exchange, and boosts cooperation between various stakeholders. The value of D and T 2025 lies in mutual networking, potential contracts, distributed and shared knowledge and experience among the whole EOD, MILENG, CBRN, DAT, and C-IED communities of interest.
This two-day event, consisting of three interconnected elements: live demonstrations, a conference and a static exhibition, remains a key factor in strengthening ties within the explosive ordnance disposal community.
We would like to express our gratitude to all distinguished guests, exhibitors and speakers for their participation and look forward to the next exhibition in 2027. ■
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LTC Witold Plezia graduated from the Land Forces Academy in Wroclaw (Poland) in 2008 as a MILENG Officer. He spent most of his military career in the 21st Podhale Riflemen Brigade (Poland) as a platoon commander, company commander and then Chief of the Engineering Section. During this period, he was assigned to the VJTF brigade as Chief of the Engineering Section. After a year of service in the 18th Mechanized Division (Poland), he served at the EOD Centre of Excellence (Trenčín, Slovakia) as Head of the Technologies Department. He also serves as the project manager for the EOD Demonstrations and Trials and the ETCAP. In his personal life, he is married and the father of two sons. He is an avid traveller with a passion for history and reading.
Download PDF: 56-64 LtC Witold PLEZIA article – NATO EOD COE – COUNTER-IED REPORT, Winter 2026