KMW And Milrem Sign Deal To Deliver 14 THeMIS UGVs To Ukraine

Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS fifth generation UGV. Credit: Milrem Robotics/commons.wikimedia.org. Understand the impact of the Ukraine conflict from a cross-sector perspective with theGlobal Data Executive Briefing: Ukraine Conflict

German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has signed a contract with Estonia-based Milrem Robotics to provide uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV) to Ukraine.

The UGVs are being provided as part of the German Ministry of Defence ’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion.

The contract will see the delivery of a total of 14 Milrem-built Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) UGVs to Ukraine.

Out of the total 14 UGVs, Milrem will deliver seven vehicles in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) configuration. All seven of the CASEVAC vehicles are expected to be delivered later this year.

The remaining seven UGVs will be provided in route clearance configuration while its payloads will be delivered by French defence manufacturer CNIM Systèmes Industriels.

Delivery of route clearance vehicles is expected by the second quarter of 2023.

Milrem Robotics CEO Kuldar Väärsi said: “The deployment of THEMIS UGVs to Ukraine means that the Ukrainian forces can increase the safety of their soldiers and let UGVs handle tasks that are an immediate threat to humans.”

Milrem recently delivered its CASEVAC THeMIS vehicle to a Ukraine charitable organisation.

In a separate development, KMW has been selected by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver an additional egress trainer cabin for the Swedish Army.

The deal was signed at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, currently underway in Florida.

Work includes the development, production, and integration of an interchangeable Archer artillery system cabin for the existing system, with an option for additional vehicle cabins.

The KMW ’s training unit can accommodate specially built vehicle cabins, allowing crews to train egress with vehicles in different orientations.

The Archer cabin will be manufactured by Swedish firm W5 Solutions and delivered by the end of 2024.