Estonian unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) specialist Milrem Robotics has collaborated with Ukrainian defence technology company Frontline to integrate the latter’s Burya remote weapon station (RWS), which features a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, onto the THeMIS UGV, Milrem announced on 12 August 2025.
The integration was validated during live-fire trials in Ukraine under operationally relevant conditions, which Milrem stated marked “a significant step forward in the development of unmanned combat support capabilities.
“The combination of the Burya RWS with Milrem’s reliable THeMIS platform enabled precise target engagement at distances of up to 1,100 m while keeping operators safely out of harm’s way,” the company stated, adding that during the live-fire trial the THeMIS/Burya combination “demonstrated excellent stability and target tracking, confirming the accuracy and effectiveness of this remotely operated fire support system”.
Further live-fire testing and tactical validation will continue in the coming weeks to assess performance across a range of battlefield scenarios, Milrem noted. The data collected will help inform future system upgrades and potential deployment strategies.
“This successful demonstration verifies the reliability and accuracy of the Burya – THeMIS integration,” Paul Clayton, director of industrial partnerships at Milrem Robotics, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “It highlights the expanding role of robotic platforms in improving tactical effectiveness and operator safety on the modern battlefield.”
Yevhen Tretiak, CEO of Frontline, added, “This is a vivid example of Ukrainian innovation combined with European engineering. At Frontline we believe the future of modern warfare belongs to robotic systems. Burya is part of our vision for a robotic front line, where drones perform defensive and offensive operations while soldiers remain out of harm’s way. Together, we’re fast-tracking these technologies to the front lines.”
The THeMIS was the first UGV in its class to be deployed with the Ukrainian armed forces in the war against Russia, with Milrem claining it is recognised as the most capable UGV currently operating in Ukraine.
The Burya grenade launcher RWS, meanwhile, has been in service with military units since January 2025 and is now in serial production.
Headquarteredin Talinn, Milrem Robotics is part of the Emirati defence conglomerate Edge Group.
