Estonian firm Milrem Robotics has announced the successful integration of a Ukrainian-made remote weapon station with its THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle. The BURIA remote weapon station, equipped with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, boasts the capability to engage targets at distances of up to 1,100 meters (3,609 feet). This combination of an unmanned vehicle paired with a remote weapon system is designed to enhance targeting precision while keeping operators out of danger.
The integration was rigorously validated during live-fire trials conducted in Ukraine under real operational conditions, as stated by Milrem Robotics in a recent press release. Observations from the trial highlighted THeMIS’s commendable stability and target tracking abilities, thereby confirming its accuracy, effectiveness, and versatility in dynamic combat environments.
“This successful demonstration verifies the reliability and accuracy of the BURIA-THeMIS integration,” said Paul Clayton, the Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics. He emphasized the role of such robotic platforms in enhancing tactical efficiency and ensuring operator safety on contemporary battlefields.
The BURIA remote turret, during the trials, effectively engaged targets from distances exceeding 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), according to Frontline, the Ukrainian manufacturer behind BURIA. Weighing in at 47 kilograms (104 pounds), this remote turret features an automated guidance and fire control system that enables rapid responses and precise targeting. Since being introduced into military service in January 2025, BURIA has now entered serial production.
Attributing the success of the integration to a fusion of Ukrainian innovation and European engineering, CEO of Frontline Yevhen Tretiak remarked, “At Frontline, we believe the future of modern warfare belongs to robotic systems. BURIA exemplifies our vision of a robotic frontline—where drones carry out both defensive and offensive operations, allowing soldiers to stay out of harm’s way. Together, we’re accelerating these technologies to the frontlines.”
THeMIS has notably been among the first unmanned ground vehicles deployed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their ongoing conflict with Russia, taking on vital roles such as casualty evacuation and route clearance. The platform has a maximum speed of 50 kilometers (37 miles) per hour and can operate for up to eight hours. It can also be outfitted with various armaments, including machine guns and anti-tank missiles, enabling it to engage lightly armored vehicles effectively.
Looking ahead, further trials of the armed system are scheduled in the coming weeks, testing it across a variety of battlefield scenarios. The data gathered from these trials will play a critical role in identifying areas for system improvement and shaping potential deployment strategies.
