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THE EMERGENCE OF utility of armed UGVs on the battlefield is the Royal Netherlands
ARMED UGVS COULD Army, which began trials using Milrem Robotics tracked hybrid mod-
ular infantry system (THeMIS) UGVs in October. Chinese armoured
TRANSFORM INFANTRY units have been conducting high-altitude exercises with unmanned

CAPABILITIES IN THE systems since 2019 such as remotely operated mine clearing robots.
FUTURE BATTLEFIELD The Royal Netherlands Army’s Robot and Autonomous Systems (RAS)
Unit of the 13th Light Brigade had taken delivery of two THeMIS UGVs
in April 2019 for their concept development and experimentation
 ATUL CHANDRA project. The project was tasked with looking into how to exploit the
possibilities new unmanned platforms provide for increasing combat
The design and development of Unmanned power and decreasing risk to soldiers. These unarmed THeMIS UGVs
Ground Vehicles (UGV) is now being undertaken
by all modern militaries. The utility of UGVs on were delivered in transport configuration together with initial spare
the battlefield is unquestionable due to their parts and accessories. “The THeMIS UGVs were chosen for their
ability to undertake a wide range of missions, superior terrain skills – this 1.5 tonne robot can effortlessly negotiate
thereby safeguarding soldiers from harm. UGV’s 30 degree slopes while carrying a payload of at least 750 kg with
are already being configured for different roles, ease,” Lieutenant Colonel Jules den Ouden, Commander of the RAS
including reconnaissance, observation, target unit had said at the time of announcement.
acquisition, communications relay, logistics
support platform, rescue, fire-fighting, and Milrem Robotics had displayed its THeMIS Combat UGV for the first
medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). However, time at Eurosatory 2022. The combat UGV was fitted with a French
the emergence of armed UGVs will transform Hornet new generation remote weapon system. THeMIS Combat
them into combat capable machines capable UGVs are equipped with MIFIK (Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Kit)
of changing the outcome of an attack on the offering follow-me, return home, and point-to-point navigation func-
battlefield. Amongst the first military UGVs, was tionalities that considerably enhance the fighting capability of units.
the U.S. Army’s Gladiator tactical UGV. It made The Hornet RCWS offers unique features for UGV applications, such
its debut in 2004 and was designed to support as a specific cleaning system for its optronics along with the ability
dismounted marines across a range of military to flip down the sensors to protect them from dirt and damage. The
operations Hornet RCWS also features a protected ammunition feed. These are
crucial aspects for an unmanned vehicle operated from a distance.
TRANSFORMATION UNDERWAY Milrem Robotics along with MSI-Defence Systems Limited (MSI-DSL)
has also jointly developed a THeMIS UGV integrated with MSI-DSL’s
The first European military to start trials on the Remote Weapon System and Electrical Optical Sensor System for
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