Ukraine Just Got A High-Tech Tool To Help In Its War With Russia

When Moscow sent troops into neighboring Ukraine more than two years ago, it was widely seen as the dominant military force. With the help of allies around the world, however, the Ukrainian army has managed to hold its own against Russia and continues to wage a war for its sovereignty.

In addition to money and traditional military resources, Ukraine recently added a unique robotic drone tank to its arsenal.

Meet the THeMIS UGV

A major deal between the Ukrainian Defense Industry and Milrem Robotics led to the development of a remote-controlled vehicle with a range of powerful capabilities. It’s called the THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle, and here are some of the highlights:

• A Starlink satellite communications system has been integrated into the tank
• It can be controlled by operators located hundreds or even thousands of miles away
• THeMIS can send real-time updates about the status of things on the battlefield
• It is fitted with a host of military weapons, particularly anti-tank systems.

Although the drone tank has already been deployed, some of the additional features haven’t yet been made public. That’s expected to change this week at the Eurosatory exhibit in Paris, where the vehicle’s “Beyond Line of Sight” control system will be put on public display.

A potential game-changer

It remains to be seen how or to what extent the THeMIS UGV will change the course of the war, but those involved in the project are optimistic that it will serve a unique and valuable function for Ukraine and militaries around the world.

Raul Rikk of Milrem Robotics called the development of this vehicle “a pivotal moment in the evolution of military robotics, offering unparalleled capabilities for remote operation and situational awareness.”

Remote operation, he added, will minimize the “risks associated with direct human involvement in combat zones.”

Chris Agee June 17th, 2024

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