According to Ukrainian resources, the armed forces of Ukraine should receive the well-known tracked unmanned ground platforms (robotic complexes) THeMIS developed and manufactured by the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. The first copy of such a platform was already delivered to Ukraine in August 2022. It is planned to use THeMIS mainly for the evacuation of the wounded from the front line and for the delivery of ammunition. The project for the acquisition of THeMIS robotic complexes for Ukraine was named "Zhuravel", it was initiated by the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko together with the Ukrainian volunteer medical formation "Hospitallers".
The first sample of the tracked unmanned ground platform (robotic complex) THeMIS delivered to Ukraine by the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. Stretchers for transporting the wounded are placed on the overhead shelves of the car. August 2022 (c) Petro PoroshenkoThe THeMIS machine is a starter and "branded" product of Milrem Robotics.
To date, THeMIS platforms have been acquired by the armed forces of 11 countries, seven of which are NATO members, including Estonia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, being used mainly for experimental and experimental purposes. Although THeMIS complexes were used in the military operation of the European Union in Mali, however, apparently, the first attempt will be made in Ukraine to fully use the platform in combat.
The THeMIS platform is a small tracked self-propelled vehicle with a length of 240 cm, a width of 200 cm and a height of 115 cm with bulletproof protection. With a curb weight of 1635 kg, the platform has a nominal load capacity of 750 kg, and a maximum load capacity of 1200 kg. The distinctive features include a low center of gravity, high agility and low noise in operation. The car is equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric power plant with a set of lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. The maximum speed is up to 20 km/h. The battery life of the machine is up to 15 hours, and exclusively on an electric drive - up to 1.5 hours. The machine can be controlled either remotely from a remote control via a secure radio channel, or used autonomously (with movement according to a given program at points set by GPS), and is equipped with a set of sensors (tele- and thermal imaging cameras, lidars) to illuminate the situation and inform about obstacles. Variants of the platform with remotely controlled weapons were tested.
Due to the fact that this device is of undoubted technical interest, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (TSAST) announces a reward of 1 million rubles to any serviceman or employee of law enforcement agencies, or a group of such, who will seize the THeMIS platform in Ukraine in more or less complete condition and place it at the disposal of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This proposal has been agreed with the relevant structures. The payment will be made by the TSAST based on the results of the conclusion on the inspection of the trophy, which will be provided by specialists of the relevant profile of the Ministry of Defense of Russia.
The first sample of the tracked unmanned ground platform (robotic complex) THeMIS delivered to Ukraine by the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. Stretchers for transporting the wounded are placed on the overhead shelves of the car, there is an extensive cargo compartment between the tracks of the car. August 2022 (c) Petro Poroshenko
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Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) Ruslan Pukhov (center) with the head of the defense division of Milrem Robotics, former commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, retired General Riho Terrace (left) at the prototype of the Type-X (c) bmpd combat ground-based unmanned vehicle developed by Milrem Robotics