Ground drone Themis: Milrem Robotics and Frontline put an automatic grenade launcher on the UGV

A ground drone with an automatic grenade launcher: together with Frontline, a Ukrainian defence technology company, Milrem Robotics has successfully integrated the Buria Remote Weapon Station, a remote weapon station (RWS) with a 40-millimetre automatic grenade launcher, into the Themis unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).

The combination was validated in live-fire trials conducted in Ukraine under realistic operational conditions. The pairing of the Themis platform and the Buria weapon station can engage targets precisely at up to 1,100 metres, while the operators remain protected.

Paul Clayton, Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics, takes stock: “This successful demonstration confirms the reliability and precision of the Buria-Themis integration.” And: “It underlines the growing importance of robotic platforms for increasing tactical effectiveness and protecting soldiers on the modern battlefield.”

For Yevhen Tretiak, CEO of Frontline: “This is a living example of combining Ukrainian innovation with European engineering.” He went on: “We are convinced that the future of modern warfare belongs to robotic systems. Buria is part of our vision of a robotic front – where drones take over offensive and defensive operations while soldiers remain protected. Together, we are bringing these technologies to the front at a rapid pace.”

What comes next for the ground drone

Additional firing tests and tactical evaluations are planned to examine how the system performs in different combat scenarios. The partners want to use the data gathered to further develop the system and work out future concepts of operations.

Themis was the first UGV of its class to be deployed with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are defending themselves against Russia's war of aggression. Today it is considered the most capable UGV in Ukraine.

Military units have been using the Buria grenade launcher weapon station since January 2025. Its introduction into combat support units is actively under way, accompanied by a specially developed training programme for frontline use.