NRC conference on countering improvised explosive devices
On 11 and 12 December 2012, the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) in Hoyo de Mazanares, Spain hosted a conference of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC). The conference focused on the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which is not limited to theatres of operations and affects each of the countries of the NRC.
The event provided an opportunity to exchange views on the challenge as well as to share best practices in countering it. The participants considered lessons learned in recent military operations, as well as experience gained by law enforcement agencies in the Russian Federation. Discussions highlighted the importance of cooperation in tackling the IED threat, which is facilitated through fora like the NRC as well as through the activities of the C-IED Centre of Excellence.
The conference included a live demonstration of IED disposal by the Spanish International Demining Centre, which added a practical dimension to the event and allowed participants to gain an understanding of current operational efforts to defeat improvised explosive devices.