Denmark has acquired eight unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to explore their potential role in future battlefield operations, as part of a broader effort to modernize land forces and reduce risks to personnel. The systems were supplied by Estonia-based Milrem Robotics and UK-based XRC Robotics, reflecting a mixed-fleet approach to testing different platform sizes and capabilities.
Under the procurement, Milrem Robotics is delivering four THeMIS tracked UGVs, while XRC Robotics is supplying four MFP-1 lightweight platforms. The vehicles will be assigned to the Danish Army’s Combat Service Branch in Slagelse, where a dedicated testing and evaluation program is set to begin this month.
The trials will examine technical performance, reliability, and tactical utility, drawing heavily on operational lessons from the war in Ukraine, where unmanned systems have played an expanding role. Danish defense officials said the UGVs are intended to perform high-risk tasks such as logistics resupply, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and combat support, helping to limit soldiers’ exposure in contested environments.
The larger THeMIS platform, weighing around 1,600 kilograms, can carry payloads of up to 1,200 kilograms and offers a range of 200 kilometers using a diesel-electric hybrid drive. While initially delivered in a basic configuration, the open architecture allows future upgrades, including weapon stations, with at least one THeMIS expected to be fitted with a 7.62mm machine gun during trials. The compact MFP-1, weighing just 25 kilograms, is designed for rapid deployment, close-range reconnaissance, and light transport missions.
