In a major defence initiative coordinated and funded by the Netherlands, Milrem Robotics, a leading developer of autonomous systems, will deliver over 150 THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to Ukraine. This substantial donation was formally announced on 6 October at a signing ceremony attended by Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans at the VDL facility in Born. The event confirmed the Netherlands as the contributing nation behind a previously announced, but then undisclosed, September pledge.
The delivery of these UGVs will be managed by Milrem Robotics Netherlands in close partnership with VDL Defentec. To fulfil this order efficiently, VDL is establishing a dedicated final assembly line at its facility in Born. This strategic assembly setup is intentionally designed for scalability, allowing for accelerated production and future deliveries to meet evolving operational demands. The collaboration ensures that the vehicles can be produced and supplied effectively.
Beyond manufacturing the hardware, Milrem Robotics will provide comprehensive training for Ukrainian operators and support staff. This training is crucial for ensuring the efficient deployment, operation, and field maintenance of the THeMIS platforms in active combat zones. The new shipment will significantly augment Ukraine’s existing fleet, which already includes 15 THeMIS vehicles that have been demonstrating their battlefield effectiveness since 2022.
Leadership from both companies emphasized the significance of the project. Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, stated that the proven THeMIS platform will materially strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities. Willem van der Leegte, CEO of VDL Groep, highlighted the initiative as a testament to strong European defence industry cooperation, creating a foundation for future innovation and production in the Netherlands. The THeMIS is a highly adaptable vehicle used for logistics, reconnaissance, and combat support, currently deployed in 19 countries.
