Ukraine To Receive Milrem THeMIS UGVs
Ukraine is to receive 14 Milrem Robotics THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles. The initiative is to be funded by the the German Ministry of Defence and will include seven casualty evacuation UGVs and seven configured for route mine clearance duties.
This announcement marks the first time a major UGV manufacturer will provide systems to Ukraine. The project will be a joint venture between Milrem Robotics, and German defense company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). French defence manufacturer CNIM Systèmes Industries will provide the payloads for the seven route clearance UGVs. These will be CNIM’s ROCUS UGVs which has a 4 meter manipulator arm, 10 hour endurance and can be equipped with ground- penetrating radar.
Captain (res) Jüri Pajuste, Defence R&D Director at Milrem Robotics, said:
“Casualty evacuation and route clearance are two labour-intensive activities that require the engagement of several people who remain in constant threat of enemy fire. Automating these tasks with unmanned vehicles alleviates that danger and allows more soldiers to stay in a safe area or be tasked for more important activities.”
Earlier this year it was reported that a Ukrainian charity received one of Milrem’s THeMIS UGV in their CASEVAC configuration. This initiative UGV was configured with stretchers for medical evacuations as well as cargo space for transport. Milrem also facilitated rapid fielding providing in field operator training.
Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, explained that:
“This important project gives evidence of our common ability to provide advanced technology to Ukraine. We are determined to support Ukraine with protective and lifesaving equipment. The fast delivery of 14 THeMIS UGVs proves that KMW and Milrem are partners you can rely on.”
The CEO of Germany’s KMW, Ralf Ketzel, noted:
“This important project gives evidence of our common ability to provide advanced technology to Ukraine. We are determined to support Ukraine with protective and lifesaving equipment. The fast delivery of 14 THeMIS UGVs proves that KMW and Milrem are partners you can rely on,”
The CASEVAC configured THeMIS UGVs are set to be delivered by the end of this year while the other seven route clearance systems will be delivered in the second quarter of 2023.