Germany’s Rheinmetall and Croatian company DOK-ING are partnering to jointly develop unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture was signed by the two companies at the Croatian Embassy in Berlin on 28 October 2024 in the presence of the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid.
“A special feature of this partnership is the entirely European origin and value creation, which should result in various unmanned ground systems (UGSs),” Rheinmetall stated in a press release.
The agreement provides for joint development and subsequent marketing of the new DOK-ING Komodo platform. Rheinmetall is contributing various capability modules/upgrade kits to the Komodo, allowing missions such direct and indirect fire, mine-laying, reconnaissance and logistics, as well as providing its international market access and industrial capacities.
The implementation of the MoU is subject to the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities, including the European Commission and the respective national competition authorities.
“DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent two leading European suppliers in their field, joining forces to carry out challenging projects,” stated Dr Björn Bernhard, head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Europe division. “Together, we aim to set new standards and pave the way for the series production and application of UGSs. We are addressing the European market as well as other partner nations.”
Vjekoslav Majetić, founder and president of the supervisory board of DOK-ING, added, “The technological and industrial synergies between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and armoured breaching systems in Europe. We see this agreement as a fundamental contribution to creating a common future.”
Within the framework of the two compamies’ future co-operation, numerous combat and combat support solutions will be developed, including a joint project for an unmanned armed support vehicle (known as a Wingman) to operate alongside tanks and infantry fighting vehicles for reconnaissance and fire support.
