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Ukraine is set to receive a total of 14 unmanned Themis vehicles from the Estonian manufacturer Milrem Robotics in the coming months. The remote-controlled vehicles or Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) will be delivered in two versions, according to a statement from Milrem Robotics.

Seven of the 14 UGVs are scheduled to be delivered in the casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) version at the end of this year. The remaining vehicles will then follow in the second quarter of 2023 and will be equipped for clearing mines, according to Milrem Robotics.

It is also said that the components for clearing mines are supplied by the French company CNIM Systèmes Industriels.

The delivery contract was signed by Milrem Robotics and the German defense company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). KMW acquired a minority stake of 24.9 percent in the Estonian company last year.

The UGV Themis from Milrem Robotics in the CASEVAC variant for evacuating the wounded. (Image: Milrem Robotics)

The Federal Ministry of Defense will bear the costs for the 14 UGVs. The vehicles are also already on the list of federal government military assistance to Ukraine. There they are referred to as "remote-controlled tracked vehicles for support tasks".

“The evacuation of casualties and the clearing of paths are two labor-intensive activities that require the use of several people who constantly expose themselves to the danger of enemy fire. Automating these tasks with unmanned vehicles reduces this danger and allows more soldiers to stay in a safe area or devote themselves to more important tasks,” explains Jüri Pajuste, head of research and development at Milrem Robotics.

Themis is an open architecture UGV, meaning the system can be converted for different purposes. According to the manufacturer, it reaches a top speed of 20 km/h, is 2.4 meters long, 2 meters wide, 1.15 meters high and weighs 1.6 tons. The hybrid-powered UGV can transport a maximum of 1.2 tons.

Already in August, the Ukrainian armed forces had received a first Themis-type UGV through a private initiative (ESUT reported).

Editorial staff / oh

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