The modern military landscape is rapidly evolving, fuelled by advances in disruptive
technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, which are being rapidly adopted by modern-day militaries around the world.
Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are an emerging game changer in such an evolving landscape and technology analyst firm Transforma Insights has published a report, Unmanned Non-Road Vehicles: 683,000 vehicles expected in 2033 due to a
multitude of benefits including safety and operational efficiency, which dedicates a section to military UGVs.
This blog draws from the report and explores why countries are adopting unmanned vehicles in their defence systems, the challenges these vehicles face in military settings, and the steps that governments have taken towards their deployment.
Globally, governments are increasingly deploying UGVs for safer and more efficient
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Their integration into defence systems reflects broader trends toward automation and advanced technology in military operations.
UGVs can be deployed in dangerous environments without risking the lives of military personnel, which is particularly useful in scenarios such as direct combat, and the defusing of landmines, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordnance.
These vehicles can perform precise surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack missions with minimal risk (since there are no humans inside them), especially in hard to access places
like narrow alleys and trenches. This not only ensures high precision in terms of intelligence gathering, but also enhances overall defence capabilities and provides a tactical advantage on the battlefield and in other contexts.
Unlike manned vehicles, unmanned systems are capable of operating continuously for extended periods without the need for rest or breaks. This makes them particularly valuable in terms of mission critical and ongoing monitoring tasks, and with increased productivity.
Rapid advances in AI, robotics, and communication technologies have made unmanned vehicles more capable and reliable, and these vehicles can be used for precise targeting and
efficient execution of missions.
The path leading to the full-scale deployment of fully autonomous unmanned vehicles is not an easy one and there are several hurdles that need to be addressed first.
Combat areas are highly unpredictable and dynamic, and issues like bad road conditions, uneven terrain, chances of terrain alterations, and extreme weather conditions may affect the deployment of autonomous military ground vehicles in such situations
The lack of detailed and up-to-date maps can make navigation difficult. Autonomous vehicles typically rely on maps for path planning and obstacle avoidance. In remote or war-torn areas where maps are often outdated or incomplete, the vehicle must rely more on real-time sensors, which might not always provide sufficient information.
UGVs with onboard AI could reduce the need for human intervention in targeting, but concerns about their reliability and trustworthiness persist. Manufacturers must ensure
these systems can accurately distinguish between enemies and civilians before they are deemed reliable and safe for military use. Even military contractors like Palantir Technologies caution that, despite advanced machine learning, autonomous machines should not be fully trusted with life-or-death decisions. Countries are taking such warnings into consideration and the US Army has stated that its partial autonomous tactical vehicles (which it shall procure from General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. and American Rheinmetall Vehicles LLC for USD1.6 billion) vehicles will not be fully autonomous. Instead, they will feature "drive by wire" and "shoot by wire" capabilities, with optional autonomous functions like waypoint navigation.
Despite the challenges faced by autonomous unmanned vehicles, countries around the world
are seeking to use these machines to enhance their defence capabilities. While some countries (like Russia) have already deployed such unmanned vehicles in combat areas, others are acquiring them or planning to acquire and deploy them. Examples include India, Japan, Russia, Sweden, the UAE and the USA as illustrated and discussed in more detail below.
India has recently unveiled the ECARS (Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System), which is a cutting-edge 4X4 multi-terrain operative UGV. A key feature of ECARS is its compatibility with systems like Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), water jets, and ability to support heavy material transport across borders and waterways. The ECARS is armed with an enhanced collision avoidance system and advanced mission planning capabilities, can travel at 16-20 kmph, and carry a payload of 350 kg.
It will enable the Indian Army to keep surveillance of the national border from a range of about 10 kilometres, without deploying soldiers.
The island country is accelerating its effort to use more UGVs, owing to factors like an ageing
and shrinking population (leading to a limited number of candidates likely to join its military service). It allocated around JPY6 billion (approximately USD38 million) in the FY2023 budget for small UGVs. In 2024, Japan has awarded a contract to Rheinmetall for three Mission Master SP 8x8 unmanned ground vehicles, and to Milrem for the delivery of three THeMIS tracked UGVs. These vehicles are planned to be used for garrison security, information gathering, and combat support.
In the ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia has deployed four Marker UGVs. The Marker vehicles weigh three tonnes and can carry a diverse range of ammunitions and armaments, including anti-tank missiles, grenade launchers, jammers, heavy machine guns, and other weapons.
NATO ally Sweden has signed a contract with Milrem Robotics in 2024 for the supply of THeMIS UGVs. The country is purchasing the cargo version of the UGV (THeMIS Cargo), which can be used for supply delivery, but can also be used for casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and combat missions by integrating third-party technologies.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has entered into a contract with Milrem Robotics for the provision of 40 THeMIS UGVs. These vehicles are equipped with advanced autonomy capabilities, high-quality communication systems, and third-party payloads. Additionally, Milrem Robotics will deliver thorough training and oversight to ensure that military personnel attain a high level of proficiency in operating these unmanned ground systems.
The US Army has collaborated with the Defense Innovation Unit to launch the Ground Vehicle Autonomous Pathways project. It aims to prototype software and processes for adapting uncrewed vehicle technology to UGVs for operating in diverse and challenging military environments. The project will develop software to navigate these vehicles by integrating data from multiple sensors, while allowing remote teleoperators to maintain human oversight. Additionally, the project will establish a technical pipeline for the rapid development and deployment of new autonomous features as they become available.
The initial deployments of autonomous UGVs are expected to involve convoys where a
human-operated vehicle may lead a group of unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles will be programmed to follow the path of the lead vehicle, utilising their sensors and machine learning algorithms to navigate safely and reach their destination. Over time, this system is anticipated to evolve into a fully autonomous configuration, eliminating the need for a human driver in the lead vehicle.
