LONDON — ARX Robotics, a European defense firm, recently unveiled its latest military robot, developed in collaboration with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This new robot addresses crucial tactical needs highlighted by the Ukrainian military.

Situated in Germany, ARX Robotics premiered their new unmanned ground vehicle, named Combat Gereon, at the DSEI trade show in London last week.

Integrating the established Gereon RCS platform with advanced AI-driven autonomous capabilities, the system was showcased equipped with the LOKI remote weapon station, manufactured by the Slovenian company Valhalla Turrets.

This variant was co-developed with the Ukrainian firm Frontline, the Ukrainian military, and testers with frontline experience, according to Marc Wietfeld, CEO of ARX Robotics, in an interview with Defense News.

The company’s leader shared that the Ukrainian forces made specific recommendations concerning the robot’s size and operational features to enhance its effectiveness in actual combat scenarios.

“Key suggestions included downsizing and lightening the UGV to facilitate seamless integration into frontline logistics; simplifying the control interface to allow operators, even those with minimal training, to manage it effectively under the duress of combat; and enhancing its modularity to support rapid in-field repairs and adjustments based on evolving mission parameters,” explained Wietfeld.

Combat robots have become increasingly common on the battlefields in Ukraine, assuming roles traditionally filled by human soldiers.

This trend has led to a surge in the number of companies developing UGVs, now exceeding 100, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Earlier this year, the European Defense Agency’s innovation hub initiated a project to evaluate the use of aerial drones and UGVs in resupply and logistics operations.

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Though several European companies are already manufacturing war robots, Wietfeld pointed out that the main limitations of many of these systems include their large size, cost, and complexity.

“The main drawbacks of many European combat UGVs are their substantial size and weight, which complicates their integration into frontline logistics. They are often complex, costly, and rely on sensitive technology not suited for prolonged use in battlefield conditions,” he remarked.

He also noted that many such systems require up to three operators, which is an inefficient use of resources, especially as many nations are dealing with manpower shortages.