NZDF calls in contractor to clear Afghan firing ranges

The New Zealand Defence Forces (NZDF) have contracted the Organisation for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) to carry out clearance of five of its former firing ranges in Bamyan Province.

OMAR beat competition from 10 other contenders for the NZ$6.2 million ($3.7 million) contract.

According to the NZDF, the COVID-19 outbreak had slowed the progress of the contract and it is expected that further disruption to the project will occur as a result of the pandemic.

The firing ranges were operated by the NZDF’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (pictured) between 2003 and 2013 for firing non-explosive small-arms rounds and some high-explosive rounds.

After the NZDF left in 2013, the firing ranges were cleared according to the standards at the time but the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has since introduced stricter standards for range clearance that were adopted by the Afghan Directorate of Mine Action Coordination.