Latest news with #KuldarVäärsi
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Western arms makers are setting up in Ukraine. Kyiv gets firepower, NATO gets lessons in war.
More and more Western defense companies are opening up operations in Ukraine and working with local firms. A Ukrainian industry body called it a "win-win." Ukraine gets more weapons, and Western companies learn from local experience. Western arms makers aren't just sending weapons to Ukraine these days; they're moving in. As Russia's war drags on, NATO defense companies are opening offices, setting up new production lines, and working closely with Ukrainian partners inside the country at war. For Ukraine, the payoff is that it gets faster, more customized firepower. For the West, it's access to something money can't usually buy: real-time lessons in modern warfare. Ukraine's defense industry is offering hard-earned insights, and NATO countries are able to bring those secrets home before they need to use them themselves. Talking with Business Insider, representatives of Ukraine's defense industry described Western defense companies working in Ukraine as a "win-win" because it helps them learn from the war and Ukraine's industry while also aiding Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion. And Many European leaders have acknowledged that their own domestic industries have much that they can learn from Ukraine's booming defense sector. Ihor Fedirko, the CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry, an industry body that represents over 100 Ukrainian defense companies, said Western companies that open offices and produce in Ukraine gain experience "for our type of work." The war is a fast-moving conflict where new tech and innovations are substantially changing how wars are fought, with new developments in drone technology being among the most noticeable. Western companies in Ukraine Among the growing number of Western defense companies that have opened up facilities in Ukraine are the German drone and aerial intelligence company Quantum Systems, which said last month that it will double its production capacity in Ukraine, and KNDS, a French-German defense group opening a subsidiary there. British multinational arms and aerospace company BAE Systems has also set up in Ukraine, and Norwegian defense company Nammo signed an agreement to work with a Ukrainian defense firm. German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has plans for multiple factories in Ukraine, including an ammunition production plant to make the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. Even Western companies without production facilities in Ukraine are testing their products there, working with local companies and soldiers and adapting in real time. Kuldar Väärsi, the CEO of Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics, which makes military robotic systems like the THeMIS and has some in Ukraine, told BI his company works directly with Ukrainian industry to keep its systems relevant as well as "to work collaboratively to get the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and help to improve the European defense equipment." He said that Europe needs to learn from Ukraine's industry, "what works, what doesn't work, what needs to be shifted." And then domestic operations like Brave1, a Ukrainian government-run defense technology and innovation platform, are creating opportunities for foreign companies to test their combat tech on the battlefield in Ukraine. Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said in May that "if you are a drone company and you do not have your kit on the front line in Ukraine, you might as well give up." These developments bring a lot of warfighting technology to Ukraine, which needs both innovative solutions and firepower mass to hold its own against Russia. What the West can learn Troels Lund Poulsen, NATO ally Denmark's defense minister, told BI in February: "I think we have a lot to learn from Ukraine." He explained that he wants Danish defense companies to learn from Ukrainian ones so that they can "get some of the lessons learned from the defense companies in Ukraine back to Danish defense companies." He said that by helping Ukraine, "some of the lessons learned will come back to Denmark, and that's a win-win, in fact, both for Ukrainian defense companies and also for Denmark." Some of those lessons are coming back to Denmark through the new way it is getting weapons for Ukraine, Poulsen said. Known as the Danish model because it was pioneered by Denmark, the model sees countries buying weaponry for Ukraine directly from Ukrainian companies, which means weapons get to Ukraine faster and cheaper, without adding to the production backlog that defense companies all over Europe are seeing. Denmark's new connection with Ukraine's defense industry means that lessons from those companies can get back to Danish ones, Poulsen said. He said one of the key lessons Denmark needs to adopt is "the way to produce fast." The West is bracing for a serious conflict, such as a war between Russia and NATO or a fight between the US and China, and defense budgets are soaring. The war in Ukraine is offering insights into modern warfare, specifically what weapons, tactics, and training are needed for the future fight. A key realization from this war is that in a major war, there is a need to produce weapons and equipment quickly. Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in February that it's a problem "if a country at war can produce faster than the rest of us." "I'm not saying we are at wartime," she said, "but we cannot say we are at peacetime anymore. So, we need to change our mindset." Fedirko said that speed is something other European companies can learn from Ukrainian ones: "We can say that what our defense complex is rich with is the ability to scale up manufacturing. That's what we are very good at. So we have a very brief period between R&D." He said Ukrainian companies are also "very swift in terms of testing and finding out any shortcomings and then refining them, addressing them, and then getting ready a new product." He added that Ukraine has shown how fast it can create and scale up new types of weaponry, like drones. Fredriko, NATO defense leaders, and warfare experts have all previously warned that Russia's invasion shows that the West needs to get a larger number of cheaper weapons that it can make quickly, rather than just focusing on a smaller number of advanced pieces of equipment. There has to be a balance between cheap mass and exquisite firepower, they say. Ammunition is also key. NATO's secretary general warned this month that Russia makes as much ammunition in three months as NATO does in a year. In the war in Ukraine, ammunition has at times been a decisive factor in battles. Working in Ukraine, Western companies get greater insight and clarity into the demands of large-scale modern wars. Russia has been getting these lessons firsthand. This is proving an opportunity for the West to catch up.
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First Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Are ground robots becoming the new soldiers of war?
Ukraine and Russia are increasingly deploying ground robots for resupply, combat and casualty evacuation. With AI-driven systems like Murakha, THeMIS and Volchanin in action, these robotic platforms are transforming modern warfare. As both countries innovate on the battlefield, are ground robots becoming the frontline fighters of the future? read more The Gereon RCS Robot, an unmanned ground vehicle for the defence sector, from ARX Robotic, in action in Oberding near Munich, Germany, March 27, 2025. File Image/Reuters Both Moscow and Kyiv are putting their focus on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) — robots designed to support logistics, firepower and casualty evacuation. These systems, once peripheral to military strategy, are now playing a growing role in direct battlefield engagement, as seen in Russia's war in Ukraine. How Ukraine is expanding its robotic arsenal Ukraine has steadily increased its investment in robotic warfare since 2024, aiming to reduce soldier exposure by relying on autonomous or remotely operated ground vehicles. One of the key additions to its defense inventory is the Murakha, a tracked robotic platform designed for front-line operations, particularly under artillery fire or in heavily mined environments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Murakha, developed for utility in difficult battlefield conditions, stands out due to its size and capacity. It can transport loads exceeding 500 kilogrammes over considerable distances, crossing challenging landscapes and even shallow water. Ukraine's Defence Ministry has stated that its control systems allow it to remain functional in areas affected by Russian electronic warfare measures. In April, another vehicle — the D-21-12R — was unveiled. This UGV comes equipped with a machine gun and joins a growing family of military robots intended to undertake a range of critical operations, including direct assault, defensive action, rescue missions, demining and logistical support. Recently, Ukraine also approved the Targan robotic logistics system, created by domestic engineers under the Brave1 initiative. The Targan, approved for field use in late 2024, is electrically powered and fitted with large rubber wheels, capable of carrying up to 200 kilogrammes of material across rugged terrain. It comes in multiple variants, with its standard version offering a range of 20 kilometers. Other Ukrainian systems, such as the Sirko-S1 and Volia-E, which entered service in mid-2024, have payload capacities of 150–200 kilogrammes and are also used to evacuate injured personnel. Additionally, Ukraine has received foreign-supplied ground robots like the German Gereon RCS, Estonian THeMIS and Czech Trail-Blazer, expanding the technological diversity of its robotic fleet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How ground robots are being used on the frontline Ukrainian forces have proven adept at reimagining the use of both imported and locally made equipment. Kuldar Väärsi, founder and CEO of Milrem Robotics, a company based in Estonia, noted that Ukrainian troops are finding creative ways to utilize their ground robots more effectively. 'Ukrainian troops are really creative, and they really find very simple ways how to get even more out of the equipment,' he told Business Insider. Milrem's flagship UGV, the THeMIS, can be customised with various payloads including weapons and demining gear. It can transport nearly 1,200 kilogrammes and travel up to 19 kilometers per hour. Väärsi explained that the motivation is straightforward: 'If you give a tool to a soldier, then he will use it as it seems most appropriate… It is literally a question of life and death.' The Da Vinci Wolves Battalion in Ukraine uses these systems for high-risk operations such as laying mines, collecting fallen soldiers, and carrying explosives close to Russian targets. Oleksandr Yabchanka, who leads the battalion's robotic systems, likens their flexibility to childhood construction toys: 'The ground robotised systems are Lego sets… We all remember Lego. We were growing up together with those kits.' His unit adapts a single robot design for multiple purposes due to limited availability of specialized models, reported Business Insider. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This approach aligns with broader Ukrainian innovation during the war, which has seen Soviet and Western hardware reconfigured for entirely new purposes — such as mounting outdated weapons on trucks, repurposing cruise missiles and integrating commercial drone parts into military platforms. How Russia is deploying robots Russia, too, has responded to Ukraine's technological adaptation by increasing its own use of ground-based robots. Facing similar challenges on a 600-mile front — particularly vulnerable supply lines frequently targeted by drones — Russia has introduced platforms like the Volchanin, developed by the Volsk Military Logistics Institute, for resupply and casualty evacuation. Combat engineers of pro-Russian troops operate an Uran-6 mine-clearing robotic system during an operation to demine anti-personnel landmines in a street in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in Donetsk, Ukraine, July 31, 2022. File Image/Reuters It has also deployed the Courier, a multifunctional UGV with a large payload capacity designed for both logistics and combat. Russian forces have been observed conducting training sessions with these systems. In one video posted in late 2023, troops are seen using a wheeled robot to transport supplies and wounded soldiers across the battlefield. 🇷🇺Russian forces use homemade transport bot to move supplies around in Avdeevka without coming under fire: — SIMPLICIUS Ѱ (@simpatico771) December 3, 2023 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another post featured a tracked vehicle moving across a combat zone in Donetsk before being destroyed by Ukrainian drone strikes. More recently, Russian media footage from Chasiv Yar displayed larger and faster robots — some equipped with anti-drone cages — suggesting that Russia is improving the size, speed, and resilience of its ground robotic fleet. Despite their technological differences, both countries are united by a strategic need: minimising human casualties while maintaining the flow of supplies and firepower. Robotic resupply offers a cost-effective, safer alternative to manned convoys, especially in contested zones where aerial surveillance and attacks are constant. Why these battle ground robots are crucial now The use of ground robots for logistical operations is not just about saving lives but about operational sustainability. With manpower constraints on both sides, unmanned systems free up soldiers for direct combat duties. Furthermore, losing a robot to enemy action is far less costly than losing a soldier, both strategically and emotionally. These platforms leverage robotics expertise initially developed in aerial drone warfare. Ground-based autonomy is comparatively less complex; UGVs navigate two-dimensional terrain and can follow preprogrammed routes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some models operate using onboard sensors and basic navigation systems without relying on external communications that can be jammed — a critical feature on today's electronic warfare-heavy battlefield. Robots are also being increasingly deployed in urban settings where traditional resupply is logistically difficult. A Ukrainian post from the 93rd Mechanized Brigade shows robots being loaded with supplies near Pokrovsk. Conversely, captured two Ukrainian UGVs moving swiftly through Chasiv Yar, demonstrating their operational reach even in contested areas. As Ukraine and Russia deploy more robotic systems for more missions on the frontlines, the question of whether ground robots could one day replace human soldiers is no longer theoretical. With inputs from agencies
Business Insider
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Ukraine is using this company's ground robots in ways it didn't quite expect
A company that makes ground robots to defend against Russia said that Ukrainian soldiers have been using its technology in ways they were not expecting. Kuldar Väärsi, the founder and CEO of Estonian company Milrem Robotics, told Business Insider that "Ukrainian troops are really creative, and they really find very simple ways how to get even more out of the equipment," including adding and attaching things to Milrem's robots. The company makes autonomous ground robots that can gather intelligence, evacuate wounded soldiers, dispose of explosive devices, and fire weaponry like machine guns. He said that it makes sense that Ukraine's soldiers are finding ways to adapt. "If you give a tool to a soldier, then he will use it as it seems most appropriate," Väärsi said. For the Ukrainian troops, "it is literally a question of life and death," so they are motivated to use the equipment "in the best possible manner." He could not give many details due to security concerns, "but the creativity of Ukrainian troops is really admirable," he said. The company's THeMIS model is being used in Ukraine as part of the fight against Russia's invasion. The robotic vehicle can carry a payload of up to 2,645.5 pounds and travel at up to 12 miles per hour. It can be fitted with a variety of weapons and used to clear mines, carry cargo, and move out injured troops. The remotely controlled robots can use AI for navigation, carry much more equipment than humans can, and get a lot closer to Russian positions than many soldiers would want to. Ground robots are becoming increasingly Yabchanka, head of the robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told Business Insider that his unit also uses robots to lay mines, collect bodies, and explode near Russian targets. Robots are being made both inside and outside Ukraine and come with a lot of flexibility in how they're used. Most models are designed to be used in different configurations or with different weaponry, like using machine guns or grenade launchers, up top. "The ground robotized systems are Lego sets," Yabchanka said, explaining that his unit does not have different robots available for different mission sets. "We all remember Lego. We were growing up together with those kits," he said. Innovation in battle Throughout the war, the Ukrainians have repeatedly modified and tweaked Western and Soviet-era weaponry, as well as invented new types, and used them in unexpected ways throughout Russia's invasion. They've mounted old guns on trucks to stop Russian attacks, turned trucks into makeshift rocket artillery, transformed small, cheap commercial drones into strike weapons and surveillance tools, built cages for tanks to protect them from attacks, adapted Western missiles to make them suitable for Soviet-designed jets, adapted anti-ship cruise missiles for land-attack missions, and worked with the US to make "Frankenstein"-style air defense weapons out Western surface-to-air missiles and Soviet-designed launchers. It has also pioneered new weapon types with its growing defense industry, like drone boats and AI-enabled gun turrets. Milrem Robotics is just one of the companies making the robots that are being used in Ukraine. In Ukraine, companies in the space include Roboneers and FRDM, while companies like Germany's ARX Robotics and Czechia's Isolit-Bravo are also working with Ukraine to build robotic systems. It's a technology that Russia is also embracing. Väärsi said the war in Ukraine has justified the company's bet on the technology. Milrem Robotics was founded in 2013, but Väärsi said that before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there were doubts about the tech even as people recognized that there were opportunities in defense. This war "has demonstrated that unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield," he said. Robots have been used by the West in previous conflicts, but not at this scale. The intensity of this war has pushed new innovation and investments. It is something that is far from being used by every unit in Ukraine, but it's largely seen as something that's worth pushing for a Ukrainian military that's fighting against a Russian military that has a lot more troops and more weapons. Väärsi said that, at least for now, the goal for his company's robots is supporting Ukraine's soldiers and keeping them safe rather than replacing them altogether. He said that soldiers can "use the unmanned systems as a first line of defense or offense" and don't need to push troops to the front. An Estonian, Väärsi said he is motivated to help Ukraine. Estonia is beside Russia and was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. The country is one of Ukraine's biggest partners, is part of the EU and NATO, and is one of the countries warning loudly that Russia could attack elsewhere in Europe. "It's our mission to support Ukraine as much as we can, to help them win this war. And even if it's as little as sending our vehicles, then we should certainly do it," Väärsi said. Väärsi said Europe needs to adapt based on what it's seeing in Ukraine to be ready if necessary. "What I consider very important is that in Europe we need to learn and very seriously learn what is ongoing in Ukraine: what works, what doesn't work, what mindsets need to be shifted to be better equipped if — hopefully that never happens — but if Russia decides to expand their activities in the warfare." He said it is important for Western defense companies to have their technology in Ukraine to learn how it performs on the battlefield. His company has made changes to its products as a result of lessons learned. The company regularly visits Ukraine and works directly with operators and is now taking that a step further with plans for a new team based in Ukraine to "be closer to Ukrainian forces and to support them even better," he said.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A company on Russia's doorstep that sent its war robots to Ukraine got a crash course in what soldiers need
A European defense firm's ground robots are being used by Ukrainian soldiers. The experiences there have led to key changes in its products, the Milrem Robotics' CEO told BI. He said Europe's militaries should be learning from Ukraine's fight in case Russia attacks. A military robotics company based in a NATO country bordering Russia says battlefield use of its machines in Ukraine provided valuable insight that led it to rethink its technology and how it could better meet wartime demands. Estonia's Milrem Robotics makes autonomous ground robots that can be used to gather intelligence, evacuate wounded troops, dispose of explosive devices, and carry weaponry like machine guns. Its THeMIS model, which can carry a payload of up to 2,645.5 pounds and travel at up to 12 miles per hour, is in Ukraine, clearing mines, carrying cargo, and moving out injured soldiers. Kuldar Väärsi, the founder and CEO of Milrem Robotics, told Business Insider that Western weapons makers and militaries need to be learning from what's happening in Ukraine and that the company's experiences there have led to some changes in its products. Väärsi said that developments in Ukraine are "totally different" from peacetime, when weapons are used in training and exercises. The company has been closely watching for ways to make its robots better, both to help Ukraine and to help Europe if needed. One key area has been the simplicity of use. He said the THeMIS was "already quite simple and very easy system to control," but the needs on the battlefield meant it had to be even simpler. He said that in peacetime, equipment might only be used by experienced troops with training. "In Ukraine, in real war, you can't follow that," Väärsi said. "Basically, anybody who needs that equipment will use it, and the more intuitive and simple you make the user interface and you make the usability, the more certain you can be that actually it'll be properly used and efficiently used and it'll be useful for the troops." The electronic warfare battle in Ukraine, in which both sides are jamming and spoofing everything — drones, comms, GPS, and more— has also sparked big changes in uncrewed systems technology. "What we have learned and changed and implemented in our systems is everything related to EW, communication, and cyber," the Milrem CEO said. Evolutions in countermeasures like electronic warfare have led to developments like fiber-optic drones and AI-enabled drones that are resistant to enemy jamming. "What we can see as a trend in Ukraine is that technologies around communication change basically weekly," Väärsi said, referring to the combat systems that rely heavily on stable signals. The feedback from Ukraine means "we have changed quite significantly our design and our products," he said. Väärsi said the company was "very eager" to provide its systems to Ukraine it is based in Estonia, a country once part of the Soviet Union like Ukraine and a current Russian neighbor worried about the possibility of an attack on its sovereignty. Estonia is among the biggest defense spenders in NATO as a proportion of GDP and one of the countries sounding the alarm the loudest about Russia. "It's our mission to support Ukraine as much as we can, to help them win this war. And even if it's as little as sending our vehicles, then we should certainly do it," Väärsi said. He said it's a good business move, too. "If you look at it from the validation perspective, the equipment which doesn't justify itself in Ukraine, why should that be even necessary?" Milrem was founded in 2013, and Väärsi said that before this war, "quite a lot of people were talking about unmanned ground vehicles in defense," but there were also "lots of doubts around it." This war "has demonstrated that unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield," he said. Many Western governments want their countries' battlefield technology in Ukraine so companies can learn how best to be ready for any potential conflict with Russia — something many European countries warn could happen. It's something many Western defense companies want too. Their products can be battle-tested and updated, proving their worth and increasing sales. Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said last month: "If you are a drone company and you do not have your kit on the front line in Ukraine, you might as well give up." Väärsi said that Milrem Robotics has a team that regularly visits Ukraine, meets military units, and works directly with the operators who use the company's equipment. It will also soon have a team based in Ukraine to "be closer to Ukrainian forces and to support them even better," he shared. Many companies work closely with soldiers to aid development. A Ukrainian drone operator previously told BI that he texts and FaceTimes with drone makers about their products to encourage a better iterative design and development process. Ground robots are particularly useful on the battlefield because they can be used to move a lot more weight than the flying drones and often more than humans can, fire from positions that are not safe for soldiers to fight from, and travel closer to Russian positions than any human fighter can safely. Väärsi said he sees the robots' role "as a first line of defense or offense," keeping troops safer. That benefits Ukraine, which doesn't have manpower to spare. "You don't move your troops in front, but you move your unmanned systems," he said. Väärsi noted Ukraine, which has a rapidly growing defense industry, has also developed a "very capable" ground robots industry. It's a technology the West and others as well are looking at more and more. Germany's ARX Robotics opened Europe's largest production facility for ground military robots this year, and companies across the continent are making new models. Milrem is playing a leading role, heading a consortium developing unmanned ground systems that received $56 million in funding from the European Defense Fund. Its robots are capable platforms that Russian researchers actually put a bounty on, encouraging soldiers to try to steal one to advance Russia's work in this space. The company's other products include larger combat vehicles, like HAVOC, which has a payload capacity of 5 tons. It also has an AI-enabled intelligent functions kit, which lets the vehicles move autonomously. It says that its products are part of robotics programs or in service in 19 countries, including the US, UK, and Germany. Ground robots are one of many things Ukraine's international partners are watching closely as they look into what sort of tactics, weaponry, and so on they should adopt. Milrem collaborates with companies that are in Ukraine, and Väärsi encouraged other foreign defense companies to do the same. "What I consider very important is that in Europe we need to learn and very seriously learn what is ongoing in Ukraine: what works, what doesn't work, what mindsets need to be shifted to be better equipped if — hopefully that never happens — but if Russia decides to expand their activities in the warfare." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A company on Russia's doorstep that sent its war robots to Ukraine got a crash course in what soldiers need
A European defense firm's ground robots are being used by Ukrainian soldiers. The experiences there have led to key changes in its products, the Milrem Robotics' CEO told BI. He said Europe's militaries should be learning from Ukraine's fight in case Russia attacks. A military robotics company based in a NATO country bordering Russia says battlefield use of its machines in Ukraine provided valuable insight that led it to rethink its technology and how it could better meet wartime demands. Estonia 's Milrem Robotics makes autonomous ground robots that can be used to gather intelligence, evacuate wounded troops, dispose of explosive devices, and carry weaponry like machine guns. Its THeMIS model, which can carry a payload of up to 2,645.5 pounds and travel at up to 12 miles per hour, is in Ukraine, clearing mines, carrying cargo, and moving out injured soldiers. Kuldar Väärsi, the founder and CEO of Milrem Robotics, told Business Insider that Western weapons makers and militaries need to be learning from what's happening in Ukraine and that the company's experiences there have led to some changes in its products. Väärsi said that developments in Ukraine are "totally different" from peacetime, when weapons are used in training and exercises. The company has been closely watching for ways to make its robots better, both to help Ukraine and to help Europe if needed. One key area has been the simplicity of use. He said the THeMIS was "already quite simple and very easy system to control," but the needs on the battlefield meant it had to be even simpler. He said that in peacetime, equipment might only be used by experienced troops with training. "In Ukraine, in real war, you can't follow that," Väärsi said. "Basically, anybody who needs that equipment will use it, and the more intuitive and simple you make the user interface and you make the usability, the more certain you can be that actually it'll be properly used and efficiently used and it'll be useful for the troops." The electronic warfare battle in Ukraine, in which both sides are jamming and spoofing everything — drones, comms, GPS, and more— has also sparked big changes in uncrewed systems technology. "What we have learned and changed and implemented in our systems is everything related to EW, communication, and cyber," the Milrem CEO said. Evolutions in countermeasures like electronic warfare have led to developments like fiber-optic drones and AI-enabled drones that are resistant to enemy jamming. "What we can see as a trend in Ukraine is that technologies around communication change basically weekly," Väärsi said, referring to the combat systems that rely heavily on stable signals. The feedback from Ukraine means "we have changed quite significantly our design and our products," he said. Väärsi said the company was "very eager" to provide its systems to Ukraine it is based in Estonia, a country once part of the Soviet Union like Ukraine and a current Russian neighbor worried about the possibility of an attack on its sovereignty. Estonia is among the biggest defense spenders in NATO as a proportion of GDP and one of the countries sounding the alarm the loudest about Russia. "It's our mission to support Ukraine as much as we can, to help them win this war. And even if it's as little as sending our vehicles, then we should certainly do it," Väärsi said. He said it's a good business move, too. "If you look at it from the validation perspective, the equipment which doesn't justify itself in Ukraine, why should that be even necessary?" Milrem was founded in 2013, and Väärsi said that before this war, "quite a lot of people were talking about unmanned ground vehicles in defense," but there were also "lots of doubts around it." This war "has demonstrated that unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield," he said. Learning from Ukraine Many Western governments want their countries' battlefield technology in Ukraine so companies can learn how best to be ready for any potential conflict with Russia — something many European countries warn could happen. It's something many Western defense companies want too. Their products can be battle-tested and updated, proving their worth and increasing sales. Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said last month:"If you are a drone company and you do not have your kit on the front line in Ukraine, you might as well give up." Väärsi said that Milrem Robotics has a team that regularly visits Ukraine, meets military units, and works directly with the operators who use the company's equipment. It will also soon have a team based in Ukraine to "be closer to Ukrainian forces and to support them even better," he shared. Many companies work closely with soldiers to aid development. A Ukrainian drone operator previously told BI that he texts and FaceTimes with drone makers about their products to encourage a better iterative design and development process. Robots of the future Ground robots are particularly useful on the battlefield because they can be used to move a lot more weight than the flying drones and often more than humans can, fire from positions that are not safe for soldiers to fight from, and travel closer to Russian positions than any human fighter can safely. Väärsi said he sees the robots' role "as a first line of defense or offense," keeping troops safer. That benefits Ukraine, which doesn't have manpower to spare. "You don't move your troops in front, but you move your unmanned systems," he said. Väärsi noted Ukraine, which has a rapidly growing defense industry, has also developed a "very capable" ground robots industry. It's a technology the West and others as well are looking at more and more. Germany's ARX Robotics opened Europe's largest production facility for ground military robots this year, and companies across the continent are making new models. Milrem is playing a leading role, heading a consortium developing unmanned ground systems that received $56 million in funding from the European Defense Fund. Its robots are capable platforms that Russian researchers actually put a bounty on, encouraging soldiers to try to steal one to advance Russia's work in this space. The company's other products include larger combat vehicles, like HAVOC, which has a payload capacity of 5 tons. It also has an AI-enabled intelligent functions kit, which lets the vehicles move autonomously. It says that its products are part of robotics programs or in service in 19 countries, including the US, UK, and Germany. Ground robots are one of many things Ukraine's international partners are watching closely as they look into what sort of tactics, weaponry, and so on they should adopt. Milrem collaborates with companies that are in Ukraine, and Väärsi encouraged other foreign defense companies to do the same. "What I consider very important is that in Europe we need to learn and very seriously learn what is ongoing in Ukraine: what works, what doesn't work, what mindsets need to be shifted to be better equipped if — hopefully that never happens — but if Russia decides to expand their activities in the warfare."
