Milrem Robotics, a leading Estonian developer of robotics and autonomous systems, will provide Ukraine with the largest fleet of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) it has ever received, as part of a donation from a European government.
In a statement, Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, said: “The cooperation between our governments and leading defence industry partners underscores how Europe can respond to shared threats with agility and unity. We take pride in contributing to Ukraine’s defence capabilities through our combat-proven THeMIS UGVs.”
The company explained that the delivery will be structured with scalability in mind, enabling additional batches to be provided in the future if required. Milrem Robotics will also supply training to Ukrainian forces, ensuring operators can maintain readiness and integrate the vehicles into frontline operations effectively.
The THeMIS platform has become one of the most widely used UGVs of its class. Described as versatile, cost-effective, and combat-proven, the unmanned vehicle is designed to support dismounted troops and increase battlefield effectiveness. Milrem Robotics noted that the system is already part of robotics programs or in service in 19 countries, underscoring its position as the most broadly adopted UGV in its category.
Ukraine has already been operating 15 THeMIS UGVs since 2022. Those systems, according to Milrem, have demonstrated their combat value under operational conditions. The additional donation will expand Ukraine’s ability to deploy unmanned systems in support roles that include reconnaissance, logistics, casualty evacuation, and direct fire support.
As noted by Milrem Robotics, the THeMIS UGV is intended to integrate seamlessly with manned forces. Its modular design allows it to be equipped with different payloads, ranging from remote weapon stations to logistics kits, enabling it to adapt to battlefield requirements. The vehicle has been extensively tested and deployed in multiple international exercises, which the company says affirms its reliability under demanding conditions.
The expansion of unmanned systems in Ukraine follows the rapid growth of drone warfare since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While aerial drones have become a defining feature of the conflict, unmanned ground platforms are increasingly seen as a force multiplier, especially for tasks that reduce risks to soldiers. By taking on high-risk roles, such as ammunition transport or battlefield resupply, unmanned vehicles free troops for other missions while lowering exposure to enemy fire.
Milrem Robotics has established itself as a key supplier of such systems. With offices across Europe, as well as in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, the company has positioned itself to expand production and sustain international partnerships.