The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has initiated trials of two European unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to evaluate their effectiveness in various operational roles. This move underscores Japan’s commitment to enhancing its unmanned capabilities, especially in light of the growing military advancements by regional rivals such as China.
The testing involves the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP and the Milrem THeMIS, reflecting Japan’s strategic pivot towards automation and unmanned systems. This shift is further driven by concerns regarding Japan’s declining population, which could potentially limit the number of available military recruits. The move toward UGVs aims to sustain military operations while minimizing risks to personnel.
Japan’s arms procurement agency highlighted the importance of embracing automation and labor-saving technologies, stating, “It is important to promote efforts for automation, labor saving and optimization through utilizing unmanned assets, including UGVs.”
In the 2024 evaluation effort, Japan procured three units of each UGV model. The electric-powered Mission Master SP is designed with a compact, low-signature profile and offers modular flexibility, allowing for rapid configuration changes to support cargo transport, surveillance tasks, and remote-engagement capabilities. Its amphibious design enables it to traverse water at speeds of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) per hour, while on land, it can achieve speeds of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) per hour when lightly loaded. The platform has a maximum carrying capacity of 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds).
On the other hand, the tracked THeMIS UGV provides a robust operational platform with a standard cargo capacity of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds), which can be expanded to 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds). It can reach speeds of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) per hour and sustain operations for up to eight hours. Designed for versatility, the THeMIS can be equipped with various armaments, including machine guns and anti-tank missiles, making it suitable for engaging lightly armored targets and undertaking high-capacity missions.
As the JGSDF continues these trials, the integration of advanced unmanned systems is expected to play a critical role in the future of Japan’s defense strategy, providing enhanced capabilities while addressing the challenges posed by demographic shifts in the country.
