The European Defence Fund (EDF) has recently greenlit a substantial investment for the continuation of the iMUGS (Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System) project, aimed at advancing the development of state-of-the-art multipurpose unmanned ground systems. A total of €50 million (approximately $56 million) has been allocated to the initiative, which is spearheaded by a consortium led by Milrem Robotics. This group was also responsible for the successful delivery of the initial iMUGS system last year.
Since its inception, the consortium has expanded significantly, now comprising 29 partners across 15 EU member states and associated nations while retaining all its original partners. Raul Rikk, the capability development director at Milrem Robotics, expressed that securing the EDF funding represents a pivotal achievement in ensuring Europe’s leadership in the realm of advanced unmanned technologies. He emphasized that the consortium brings together unparalleled expertise across the EU, placing them in a strong position to enhance operational effectiveness and safety for armed forces.
The next phase of the project, known as iMUGS 2, aims to expedite research efforts and advance toward the implementation of deployable solutions, utilizing insights gained from the initial development phase and other European initiatives. Planned demonstrations will showcase the enhanced operational capabilities through trials with military tactical units.
iMUGS 2 has established three core objectives to guide its development. Firstly, it aims to create cost-effective and combat-ready unmanned ground systems catering to dismounted soldiers across various operational levels, particularly in environments where Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) may be unavailable. Secondly, the project seeks to clarify operational concepts for deploying unmanned platforms, thereby boosting infantry battalions’ capabilities and cross-domain operations. Thirdly, it will work on enhancing the platform’s modular and open architecture, enabling better integration of autonomous functionalities with both existing and new systems for unmanned and optionally manned ground vehicles, including the conversion of manned vehicles into unmanned ones.
Furthermore, iMUGS 2 will prioritize interoperability among European nations, drawing on valuable lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. This approach underscores the project’s commitment to developing versatile unmanned systems that can adapt to contemporary military challenges and foster collaborative defense initiatives within Europe.
