Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are being developed for armed forces around the world, potentially replacing traditional tanks as the dominant battlefield vehicle. The benefits of UGVs include their smaller size, affordability, and survivability, which are of interest to military forces facing unconventional threats. The US is among the countries heavily investing in the development of robotic combat vehicles and an optionally manned fighting vehicle.

Textron’s robotic combat vehicle, the Ripsaw M5, and one of QinetiQ’s systems similar to Milrem’s TheMIS are the two vehicles that have been awarded contracts to build prototypes in the US. Robots could revolutionize the way ground combat operations are conducted, providing soldiers with increased firepower, and reducing the risk to their safety. Estonia and defense contractor Milrem have been at the forefront of developing and deploying UGVs, with the TheMIS being a prime example of their efforts. The small unmanned vehicle has already been deployed in peacekeeping operations and has been tested with various ordinances. The system's ability to carry high-firepower missiles while maintaining a small footprint has made it a competitor to larger manned systems. In Russia, the armed forces have shown a long-standing interest in fielding UGVs, with the Uran-9 built by Kalashnikov being the most notable example. Russian forces have already deployed the Uran-9 in Syria and have used the information gathered there to develop a handbook for the use of UGVs in operations. All this data gives us a clear idea of countries’ interest in robotics in the military and the future of tanks, especially in unmanned vehicles.

Menatek Defense Technologies is a global player in the defense industry, constantly striving to provide innovative solutions and products to its partners. We follow the innovations up-close on unmanned ground vehicles, Menatek is well-positioned to offer cutting-edge technology that could shape the future of the battlefield.