NATO Improvised Explosive Device Centre of Excellence holds its bi-annual Technology event in Seville

• For three days, Seville has become the centre of analysis and exhibition of technologies applied to the fight against Improvised Explosive Devices .

The Centre of Excellence against Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED COE) has organised the sixth edition of the Technology Workshop 24 (TWS24) in the city of Seville from 28 to 30 May.

Officially opened by its Colonel-Director, Mr. Javier Corbacho Margallo, TWS24 is a biennial multi-day event, where experts and companies from all over the world exchange experiences on technological developments and their application in the fight against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The aim of this sixth edition was to bring together experts from around the world, both military and civilian, to share relevant C-IED information and operational experiences in order to improve academic, industrial, law enforcement and military coordination in technology development across the full spectrum of C-IED threats. As well as to provide an assessment of whether current capabilities remain adequate in the face of evolving threats.

Over the three days of the seminar, two hundred participants of 29 nationalities were able to exchange information in the information sessions given by 30 experts, learn about the operation of cutting-edge technologies in live demonstrations, as well as the information offered by 25 specialised companies in the exhibitors' area. The demonstrations with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications, such as the one carried out by the ‘Guardia Civil’ and various participating companies, were a highlight. Overall, a benchmark event for the C-IED world that has positioned Seville as the world capital of this subject for three days.

ABOUT THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES (C-IED CoE)

The Centre of Excellence against Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED CoE) is one of the 29 NATO Accredited Centres of Excellence, and is located in 'Hoyo de Manzanares', Madrid. It has an international staff of military personnel from twelve nationalities, including members of the Armed Forces who, together with members of other military and civilian agencies, serve in both the international staff of experts and in its support and administration element.

Its mission is to provide expert support to NATO, NATO partners and the International Community in countering the IED System in order to enhance the security of deployed troops by reducing or eliminating the IED threat, especially from terrorist and insurgent networks and any emerging threats resulting from faster evolving global scenarios.

The C-IED CoE was offered by Spain to NATO as part of its network of Centres of Excellence and was first accredited by the Alliance in November 2010. In April 2023, it was re-accredited, with a result that was ‘’highly satisfactory‘’ to NATO's interests.