Estonia Unveils Havoc 8×8 RCV Unmanned Combat Vehicle With Anti-UAV Missiles
Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics unveiled the HAVOC 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) at the IDEX 2025 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi. This next-generation hybrid unmanned ground vehicle is designed to enhance modern warfare by providing a versatile, heavily armed, and autonomous combat platform. The HAVOC features a hybrid-electric powertrain, allowing for silent operation over medium distances and extended silent watch capabilities. These key attributes make it highly effective for modern battlefield missions, where stealth and endurance are essential. Its advanced design helps reduce detection while improving operational flexibility, making it a valuable asset for military forces.
(Photo credit: Milrem Robotics)
The HAVOC is part of Milrem Robotics’ broader efforts to develop innovative unmanned ground combat solutions that reduce the risks to human soldiers while enhancing battlefield effectiveness. By leveraging its compatibility with Milrem’s existing autonomous vehicle platforms, the HAVOC helps streamline logistics, procurement, and maintenance processes, reducing overall costs for military forces. Milrem CEO Kuldar Väärsi stated that the HAVOC RCV is designed for exceptional agility and high-speed maneuverability, allowing commanders to deploy forces quickly and efficiently over long distances. He added that the HAVOC RCV’s strong design and advanced hybrid propulsion system support large-caliber weapons while ensuring high precision and superior firepower on the battlefield. This combination enhances combat effectiveness and mission success.
The HAVOC 8×8 RCV is a powerful unmanned ground combat vehicle designed to support mechanized units by acting as a wingman to infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks. HAVOC measures 6.8 x 2.8 x 2.7 meters, making it similar in size to the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, which is 6.7 x 3.1 x 2.2 meters. Its compact yet robust design ensures agility and versatility on the battlefield. Built with a hybrid-electric powertrain, it offers near-silent movement for improved stealth on the battlefield. The vehicle is equipped with an advanced AI-driven navigation system, enabling autonomous operation in complex environments.
With a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) on roads and 50 km/h (31 mph) off-road, the HAVOC delivers high mobility across different terrains. Weighing around 15 tons without payload, it is lighter than traditional manned 8×8 vehicles, allowing for better off-road performance in rugged landscapes, urban areas, deserts, and mountainous regions. It is built for tough terrain, capable of handling gradients up to 60%, side slopes up to 40%, and climbing vertical steps up to 0.6 meters. It can also ford water up to 1 meter deep, ensuring strong mobility in challenging environments. The HAVOC can carry up to five tons of weapons, sensors, or other mission-specific equipment. It is also compatible with a 30 mm turret and missile launchers manufactured by Frankenburg Technologies, making it a versatile and highly capable combat vehicle.