Denmark has procured eight unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to explore how such systems could be employed in future military operations.
The platforms are being supplied by Estonia-based Milrem Robotics, which is delivering four THeMIS vehicles, and UK firm XRC Robotics, which is providing four MFP-1 systems.
The UGVs will be assigned to the Danish Army’s Combat Service Branch in Slagelse, western Denmark, where a dedicated evaluation program is set to begin this month.
The trials will examine the vehicles’ technical performance, operational reliability, tactical utility, and inherent limitations, with Danish officials noting that the testing draws on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
UGVs are intended to lower risks to personnel by carrying out tasks in contested environments, including transporting ammunition, food, and medical supplies, conducting remote reconnaissance via onboard sensors, and supporting combat missions.
Some platforms may also be used for casualty evacuation under fire or for deploying explosive charges in high-risk scenarios.
A central element of the program will be hands-on testing by soldiers to assess how UGVs can be integrated into daily field operations, ranging from logistics and surveillance to direct combat support.
The larger THeMIS vehicle weighs approximately 1,600 kilograms and can carry payloads of up to 1,200 kilograms. It features a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain, a range of up to 200 kilometers, and tracked mobility for off-road operations.
Although acquired in a basic configuration, the platform’s open architecture allows for future integration of mission modules, including remotely operated weapon systems. During trials, at least one THeMIS is expected to be fitted with a light 7.62-millimeter machine gun.
The MFP-1 is a lightweight UGV weighing just 25 kilograms, making it portable by a single soldier. It can carry payloads of up to 35 kilograms, reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour, and operate at ranges of roughly 30 kilometers, making it well suited for rapid deployment and close-range reconnaissance.
