A major step in unmanned ground warfare has been achieved as defense manufacturers installed a BURIA remote weapon station (RWS) on the Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS), an advanced tank-like drone platform.
Developed by Milrem Robotics of Estonia, the THeMIS is a versatile, multi-role unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) known for its modular design and cost-effectiveness. Its latest upgrade now equips it with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, capable of striking targets at ranges up to 3,609 feet (1,100 meters).
The integration, carried out jointly by Milrem Robotics and Ukrainian defense tech company Frontline, was validated in live-fire trials in Ukraine under combat-relevant conditions.
Paul Clayton, Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics, praised the achievement: “This successful demonstration verifies the reliability and accuracy of the BURI?-THeMIS integration. It highlights the expanding role of robotic platforms in improving tactical effectiveness and operator safety on the modern battlefield.”
The trials confirmed that the THeMIS provided exceptional stability and target tracking, while the BURIA system ensured precision strikes, all while keeping operators safely behind the lines.
Frontline CEO Yevhen Tretiak emphasized the strategic importance of robotic warfare: “This is a vivid example of Ukrainian innovation combined with European engineering. At Frontline, we believe the future of modern warfare belongs to robotic systems. BURIA is part of our vision for a robotic frontline where drones perform defensive and offensive operations while soldiers remain out of harm’s way.”
The BURIA grenade launcher RWS has been in service since January 2025 and is already in serial production. A tailored training program has been launched to integrate the system into frontline combat support units.
Meanwhile, further live-fire testing and tactical validation are scheduled in the coming weeks, ensuring performance across different battlefield scenarios. The data gathered will guide future system upgrades and deployment strategies.
Milrem Robotics noted that the THeMIS UGV was the first of its kind to be deployed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the ongoing war against Russia. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the most capable unmanned ground vehicles in active use.