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The United Arab Emirates is embracing an unmanned warfare future as it acquires 20 tracked robotic combat vehicles and 40 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles from Estonian manufacturer Milrem Robotics.
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Milrem, owned by UAE defence conglomerate EDGE Group, is expected to equip UAE Armed Forces and the UAE Ministry of Defence with 60 units of tracked robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) and THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) as part of the first operational trail program, to be followed by a larger order on completion.
The signed agreement was announced during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre earlier this week.
Under the terms of the contract, Milrem Robotics will lead an experimentation and trial program aimed at integrating unmanned ground capabilities into the UAE Armed Forces arsenal.
Milrem Robotics chief executive officer Kuldar Väärsi said the THeMIS UGVs and tracked RCVs will be fitted with advanced autonomy features, third-party payloads, and high-quality communications solutions.
“EDGE Group’s investment in Milrem Robotics has opened new avenues for us in the region, further expanding our international growth and market presence,” he said.
“Initiating the world’s largest combat robotics program with the UAE Ministry of Defence not only demonstrates the competitive edge of our solutions, but also highlights the strategic value of incorporating advanced robotic systems into force structure, thereby enhancing their combat capabilities and operational efficiency.”
The contract includes the supply of tracked RCVs with 30mm Mk44 cannons, THeMIS Combat units equipped with 30mm M230LF remote weapon stations and with indirect fire systems, and THeMIS Observe units with radar and camera systems, including shot detection capabilities.
Milrem will also provide comprehensive training and supervision to ensure the relevant personnel achieve a satisfactory skill level in operating combat unmanned ground systems.
During UMEX 2024, EDGE Group also unveiled a series of three new robust unmanned products, the GY300, BUNKER PRO, and M-BUGGY for use in air and land domains.
The three remotely piloted vehicles are reportedly purpose-built to operate in demanding environments, covering tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and logistics support.
The GY300 unmanned low-maintenance, high-reliability logistics autogyro is capable of transporting a 300-kilogram payload at a low operational cost and designed for short take-off and landing.
The BUNKER PRO tracked, high-performance unmanned ground vehicle is fully autonomous and used for remote surveillance, exploration, platooning, target identification, and perimeter patrol.
The M-BUGGY wheeled, multi-terrain UGV utilises imaging and sensor technology to provide actionable ISR data.
“UMEX is a leading global event in the unmanned systems sector, and an ideal platform for EDGE to showcase its latest portfolio of advanced remotely piloted and autonomous solutions,” EDGE Group managing director and chief executive officer Mansour AlMulla said.
“We are proud to be making our third appearance as the event’s strategic partner, where we are launching innovative new products that offer customers new technologically advanced and cost-effective force multipliers across multiple domains, highlighting the group’s dedication to developing extensive and diverse capabilities that significantly contribute to strengthening a forward-thinking sovereign defence ecosystem.”
