The MAT Kosovo EOD & ERW Training Establishment and its direct predecessor organisation have benefited from being an integral part of the Kosovo Mine Action Programme since 1999. The Training Centre itself was the HQ of a regional Mine Action Organisation right from the earliest days of humanitarian mine action in Kosovo.
MAT Kosovo has been involved in clearing many areas of Kosovo in the past from cluster munitions, minefields, ERW and explosive ordnance of many kinds. Trainees benefit from being involved in what feels like a ‘live country programme’, as many of the scenarios we simulate for the students are very realistic or did, in fact, occur on the very locations where we practice tasks with the students. Those who join us for the rigorous training see first-hand the work that is undertaken to mitigate casualties and to facilitate full land release.
Our facilities and infrastructure are geared towards an enjoyable training experience. The town of Peja has much to offer with restaurants, a brewery, places of interest and places of worship for all faiths. The countryside is breathtakingly beautiful, and there is abundant wildlife in the surrounding mountains. Our training centre caters for all the essentials with excellent, wholesome meals, adaptable to special dietary requirements and even our own bar, the ‘Gagged Grenade – EOD Café’, where you will find ‘like-minded’ company. The site is fully secure and has cable TV and full internet access and WIFI throughout all the built-up areas.
Our training centre is situated in Peja, Western Kosovo, at the foot of the beautiful and imposing ‘accursed’ mountains and the National Park– altitude: 550m, latitude: 42.66269, longitude: 20.3120111.
Sugar Factory
A sugar production plant, now disused and derelict, the Sugar Factory offers a number of environments which are similar to those found in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria; rubble areas, bombed and derelict multiple storey buildings, with open grassed areas and areas of brush and scrub. This facility provides the perfect surrounding to conduct realistic scenario-based exercises to assess the skills and knowledge of attending trainees for HIEDC, technical survey, spot tasks and BAC.
VJ Barracks
A former Serbian military base, now abandoned, VJ Barracks offers a number of environments for the conduct of all training courses delivered by MAT Kosovo. With routes, derelict buildings, open and densely vegetated areas, this facility is ideal for Technical Survey, UAS training and trails, Battle Area Clearance (BAC) and Demining exercises. In addition, the area includes a small range where Render Safe Procedures (RSP), the firing of de-armers, rocket wrench, disruptors and improvised water bottle charges are conducted.
