Milrem Robotics Unveils Its ‘Most Advanced’ Autonomous Combat Vehicle

Milrem Robotics is showcasing the latest iteration of its autonomous Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) at the Defense & Security exhibition in Bangkok, which the company says is its “most advanced” version yet. 

The RCV is powered by Milrem Robotics’ Intelligent Functions Kit, which leverages AI and machine learning algorithms to make the vehicle fully autonomous, reducing the need for human intervention in potentially dangerous situations. 

The design also features an array of sensors to enable obstacle avoidance and autonomous navigation capabilities, as well as communication links to a remote team to allow intervention in emergencies.

According to Milrem Robotics, the vehicle has potential use cases across missions, including logistics support, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and combat operations. 

“Milrem Robotics’ commitment to innovation and excellence has resulted in the development of an RCV that is poised to transform defense and security operations globally,” said Kuldar Väärsi, Milrem Robotics’ CEO. “Our aim is to empower military forces with cutting-edge technology that ensures the safety of personnel and enhances mission effectiveness.

"By automating tasks, reducing manpower requirements and enhancing mission capabilities, we are helping armies respond more effectively to evolving threats.”

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The THeMIS RCV was first launched in Thailand in 2019 and has subsequently been acquired for testing by the Defence Technology Institute and the Thai Army. 

Customer experience and response have been collected for each deployment, with Milrem Robotics saying it has developed the latest RCV model with this feedback in mind. 

The announcement follows the unveiling of Milrem Robotics’ tactical unmanned ground vehicle, which is equipped with an AI-guided weapon system. The design combines Milrem’s THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle and the HITROLE remote-operated weapon station developed by Italian defense firm Leonardo.

The vehicle’s AI functions enable target tracking, acquisition and recognition capabilities, performing a range of tasks such as surveillance, patrolling, border security, counter-sniper and asymmetric missions. 

“Together with Leonardo, we can offer a highly capable robotic combat system to the Italian Army and customers worldwide,” said Väärsi. “This will significantly enhance warfighting capabilities and, even more importantly, contribute to troop safety.”