Japan To Procure Three THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) From Milrem Robotics
Milrem Robotics, a leading European developer of robotics and autonomous systems majority-owned by UAE-based EDGE Group, announced on April 16 that it has signed a contract to provide three THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) configured for a variety of missions including supply transportation and intelligence gathering. According to the company’s statement, these vehicles, which were selected as the target of the Rapid Procurement Program initiated by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, will be equipped with the Milrem Intelligent Functions Kit (MIFIK) to improve the efficiency of the JGSDF operations. However, no information was provided about the deal’s cost or planned delivery schedule.
Milrem Robotics’ CEO Kuldar Väärsi said in a statement that they were honored to be chosen by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces to assist them increase the combat effectiveness of their ground forces and achieve their capability goals through advanced robotics. Väärsi also stated that the Ground Self-Defense Forces’ goal is to fundamentally strengthen defensive capabilities with unmanned assets in order to achieve asymmetric superiority while limiting human casualties, and that THeMIS UGVs are uniquely qualified to carry out this vision.
THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) is a multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed by Milrem Robotics with the support of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. The vehicle, which was first unveiled in 2015, can be configured for a variety of missions including reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection, fire support, communication transfer, logistics support platform, rescue, and medical evacuation. The THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle has a length of approximately 2.5 meters, a width of 2 meters and a ground clearance of 1.17 meters. The unmanned ground vehicle weighs 1,630kg and can carry a maximum load of 1,200kg.
The vehicles, which have a considerable pulling force of 15kN, are powered by a hybrid drive system consisting of a diesel engine and an electric motor. In this manner, THeMIS can reach speeds of up to 20km per hour. With a full fuel tank, these vehicles can run for up to 15 hours and for up to 90 minutes on battery power alone. Furthermore, THeMIS, which has a specially designed suspension system for the safe transportation and use of the cargo platform, mortar, extra equipment, and ammunition, can climb a 60% slope and overcome 0.6-meter-deep water obstacles.
The vehicles have been procured by 16 countries to date, including Estonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as Japan. THeMIS was also donated to Ukraine under an agreement financed by the German Ministry of Defense.