Denmark has taken delivery of eight unmanned ground vehicles as part of an initiative to assess their potential role in future battlefield operations.
The acquisition includes four THeMIS UGVs from Estonia’s Milrem Robotics and four MFP-1 platforms from British company XRC Robotics. The systems will be operated by the Danish Army’s Combat Service Branch based in Slagelse.
A structured testing program, scheduled to begin this month, will evaluate the UGVs’ performance, reliability, operational limits, and possible tactical applications. Officials said the trials are informed by operational lessons emerging from the conflict in Ukraine.
The unmanned platforms are designed to reduce risks to soldiers by undertaking missions in high-threat environments, such as resupplying forward units, conducting remote surveillance, and supporting combat operations.
Additional roles under consideration include casualty evacuation from contested areas and the delivery of explosive payloads for specialized missions.
Soldiers will play a central role in the trials, assessing how the UGVs can be incorporated into routine field activities across logistics, reconnaissance, and combat support functions.
Milrem’s THeMIS, the larger of the two platforms, weighs about 1.6 tonnes and supports payloads of up to 1.2 tonnes. It uses a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, offers a range of up to 200 kilometers, and employs rubber tracks for enhanced off-road mobility.
While Denmark has initially acquired the vehicle in a basic setup, its modular design allows for future upgrades, including the integration of remotely operated weapon stations. One THeMIS unit is expected to be armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun during the evaluation phase.
In contrast, the MFP-1 is a compact, man-portable UGV weighing only 25 kilograms. It can carry loads of up to 35 kilograms, achieve speeds of 60 kilometers per hour, and operate over distances of approximately 30 kilometers, making it suitable for fast, close-range reconnaissance missions.
