German unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) start-up ARX Robotics plans to establish a subsidiary in the United Kingdom with its headquarters in London and a development and production facility in southwest England, the company announced on 9 April 2025.
With an investment of GBP 45 million (EUR 52.2 million), 90 highly qualified jobs are to be created over the next 30 months, resulting in a production capacity of up to 1,800 vehicles per year. The new company is to work with a large number of British defence companies – in particular technologically leading small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – to build up a powerful network and establish vertical integration in the UK.
ARX Robotics, which claims to operate Europe’s largest manufacturing facility for UGVs, sees the expansion into the UK as part of its long-term mission to strengthen European defence capabilities through technological independence and to grow as a leading supplier of UGVs in Europe.
The company, backed by the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and leading venture capital firms such as Project A, is part of s new generation of European defence tech entities driving innovation, technological sovereignty and strategic resilience.
“By establishing a production facility in the UK, we are not only making an economic contribution, but also strengthening the technological sovereignty of both the UK and Europe,” said Marc Wietfeld, CEO of ARX Robotics.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey of ARX’s plans, “The UK is a key player in the European security architecture and one of the European Union’s closest partners. Building on our engagement in Germany and Ukraine, we are now looking to secure pan-European resilience and capability through advanced technologies, autonomous systems and digital warfare.”
Healey added that he expressly welcomed ARX’s GBP 45 million investment, noting that it would create high-quality jobs and at the same time strengthen Europe’s security situation.
The Gereon RCS
ARX Robotics’ main product is the electrically powered Gereon RCS UGV in the one-tonne class, featuring the Mithra OS operating system, which can transport a payload of up to 500 kg over a maximum distance of 40 km. The vehicle can be remotely controlled by an operator up to 4 km away but can also operate autonomously. If public networks (such as 4G/5G) can be used, the range at which the vehicle can be operated is unlimited.
The low-noise electric drive of the Gereon RCS enables speeds of up to 15 km/h and an operating time of up to 72 hours. It then takes around 2.5 hours to recharge the battery. According to ARX, the Gereon RCS can be used as a cargo carrier or with with mission equipment for tasks such as mine clearance; mobile communications and data relaying; reconnaissance, surveillance and patrolling; sensor and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deployment; casualty evacuation; and dynamic target training and simulations.
The modular unmanned systems from ARX are already in use with the German armed forces as well as in Ukraine. Just a few weeks ago 30 Gereon RCS UGVs were delivered to Ukraine with military aid from the German government.
ARX UGVs are currently being trialled with the UK armed forces. The aim is to adapt the systems precisely to the operational requirements of the British Army, in line with the declared intention of significantly increasing the effectiveness of modern technologies such as UAVs and artificial intelligence, according to ARX.
