TSAST announced a reward of 1 million rubles for the capture of the Estonian combat robot THeMIS in Ukraine The Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies has announced that it will pay one million rubles to anyone who can capture the Estonian robotic platform THeMIS in Ukraine and transfer it to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The TSAST clarified that the first copy of the platform was transferred to Kiev in August of this year.
"In more or less complete condition"
According to the information of the CTA, the Armed Forces of Ukraine should receive tracked unmanned ground platforms THeMIS developed and manufactured by the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. At the same time, the first instance of such a robotic platform has already been 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 to purchase THeMIS robotic complexes for Ukraine was named "Zhuravel", it was initiated by former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko together with the Ukrainian volunteer medical formation "Hospitallers", the center said.
The CTA noted that THeMIS is the starting and "branded" product of Milrem Robotics. To date, 11 countries have already acquired robots, seven of which are NATO members: Estonia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Unmanned platforms have so far been used "mainly for experimental and experimental purposes." The center believes that, although the 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 operations."
"Due to the fact that this device is of undoubted technical interest, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies 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," - it is reported in the Telegram channel of TSAST.
The center clarified that this proposal was "agreed with the relevant structures." TSAST will pay remuneration "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."
According to RIA Novosti with reference to the words of the director of the center Ruslan Pukhov, the award was announced for several reasons. In particular, "this is a tribute to the memory of the founder of the TSAST Konstantin Makiyenko, who died in May 2021." In addition to scientific activities, "since 2014, he has been helping residents and defenders of Donbass with personal means." Pukhov said that in this way the center seeks to continue Makiyenko's case.
According to the director of the Center, the study of THeMIS will also be useful for the development of Russian land-based robotic systems.
"Of all the samples of military equipment that are supplied to Ukraine, very few systems can be called truly modern and innovative. This platform is really new, this is something that needs to be paid attention to - this is a real innovation, this is the future of war," he said.
Robot in three configurations
The website of the Estonian company Milrem Robotics specifies that the complex is 2.4 m long and 1.15 m high. THeMIS can reach a maximum speed of up to 25 kilometers per hour and carry a load weighing up to 1.2 tons. The company produces it in three trim levels.
Milrem Robotics has also published footage of the robot. According to them, it is clear that he can cheerfully climb the mountain, cross the river, does not get stuck in the sand and snow. He can even easily knock down small trees on his way and pull a heavy truck behind him.
"THeMIS is a multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicle designed to reduce the number of troops on the battlefield. The open architecture of THeMIS allows you to quickly configure it from a transport function to weapons, ammunition disposal or support of reconnaissance operations in accordance with the nature of the mission," the robot's description says.
The purpose of THeMIS in the Cargo configuration, the company calls "reducing the cognitive load of soldiers and providing funds for the transportation and use of additional equipment and firepower." All this allows military personnel to "focus on the current task," as the robot carries "everything that a soldier usually carries."
"THeMIS Cargo will increase the mobility of dismounted units and make them more effective against the enemy. THeMIS Cargo can also be used to support logistics activities at the base and to replenish stocks at the last mile," Milrem Robotics emphasized.
And the THeMIS cargo mortar is adapted to accommodate a mortar with a caliber of up to 81 mm . The main purpose of this system is "to provide logistical support and fire from closed positions for maneuverable forces."
In turn, the THeMIS platform in the Cargo CASEVAC configuration can "provide rapid evacuation of emergency victims from the affected area to higher-level medical institutions."
"This reduces the need for manpower, usually used to evacuate the wounded. The car allows you to use most of the NATO stretchers used in the armed forces," the company noted.
Maria Shustrova
