Milrem Robotics is a defence company from Estonia that is part of the UAE-based Edge Group. At IDEX and NAVDEX 2024 in Abu Dhabi, Milrem revealed a new unmanned ground vehicle called Havoc. The showcase ran from February 17 to 21 and drew attention to Milrem’s forward-thinking approach to warfare.
The Havoc is a hybrid-electric, 8×8 wheeled combat robot designed for high mobility and battlefield efficiency. It marks a major step forward in Milrem’s growing line-up of unmanned military systems. This new platform builds on the success of earlier models like the tracked RCV and the THEMIS UGV.
Design and Capabilities of the Havoc
The Havoc is designed to address the growing demand for versatile, cost-effective, and operationally efficient unmanned systems in modern combat scenarios. According to Milrem, the platform shares commonalities with its predecessors, such as the RCV and THeMIS, which allows for reduced procurement and maintenance expenses, as well as streamlined logistics.
This modular approach ensures that military forces can integrate Havoc into their existing ecosystems with minimal friction. One of the standout features of the Havoc is its hybrid-electric propulsion system, which provides a greater operational range compared to traditional fuel-powered systems.
Additionally, the platform is capable of near-silent movement, a critical advantage in congested or urban combat zones where stealth and surprise are paramount. The vehicle’s design also emphasises adaptability, enabling it to operate in diverse environments, from open deserts and urban areas to high-altitude mountain passes.
Targeting the Middle East Market
Milrem’s presence at IDEX and NAVDEX underscores its strategic focus on the Middle East as a key market for its unmanned systems. The company has actively promoted Havoc’s capabilities to potential customers in the region, highlighting its suitability for the challenging terrains and operational environments commonly encountered in the Middle East.
This aligns with Milrem’s broader strategy: to leverage its ownership of Edge Group, a leading Emirati defence conglomerate, to expand its footprint in the region.
At the 2024 UMEX drone fair in Abu Dhabi, Milrem secured a significant contract with the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence. The agreement includes the delivery of 20 tracked RCVs and 40 THeMIS UGVs, further solidifying the company’s position as a trusted provider of unmanned systems in the Middle East.
The THeMIS platform, in particular, has gained recognition for its versatility, with variants deployed for cargo transport, casualty evacuation, and route clearance in conflict zones such as Ukraine.
Lessons from Real-World Operations
Lessons learnt from real-world deployments of Milrem’s existing platforms have informed the development of the Havoc. The Ukrainian military has used THeMIS UGVs for transport and demining during active combat operations.
These missions helped Ukraine understand what unmanned systems need to succeed on the battlefield. Milrem’s spokesman, Gert Hankewitz, explained how these lessons shaped the Havoc’s design approach. “We learnt that seamless command and control is critical,” Hankewitz said in an interview with Defence News.
He added that Havoc works smoothly with both human-operated and unmanned systems to improve battlefield performance. This strong focus on interoperability allows Havoc to work within a wider combat network.
It helps soldiers gain better situational awareness and carry out missions more effectively. Havoc can also link with current systems, including advanced technologies from Edge Group.
This makes it a powerful asset and force multiplier in today’s high-tech military environments.
Advanced Sensor Integration
A released image of the Havoc showcases the French-made Pilar V acoustic detector, a product of Metravib Defence. Furthermore, the platform can clearly integrate with existing systems, including those developed by Edge Group, underscoring its potential as a force multiplier in modern military operations.
The integration of such cutting-edge technology highlights Milrem’s commitment to enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of its platforms in high-threat environments.
When asked whether Edge Group had contributed specific elements to Havoc’s design, Hankewitz noted that the company was actively exploring ways to maximise synergies across its platforms. This includes integrating existing Edge payloads and leveraging the group’s expertise in defence technology to enhance the capabilities of Milrem’s unmanned systems.
Strategic Implications and Future Prospects
The unveiling of the Havoc marks a major shift for Milrem Robotics in unmanned ground vehicle development. The company is using real combat lessons to design more advanced and reliable robotic platforms for modern warfare. This combination of experience and innovation has helped Milrem become a key player in military robotics today.
Moreover, Havoc shows how the armed forces now see unmanned systems as vital parts of their defence strategies. These robots can handle reconnaissance, logistics, and even combat roles—while reducing the risk to human soldiers. As a result, militaries value them more in both current operations and future battlefield planning.
Milrem is also growing its footprint in the Middle East and other regions with rising demand for unmanned systems. The Havoc is expected to become a central element of Milrem’s strategy for addressing global defence technology needs.
With a strong focus on interoperability and flexibility, the Havoc adapts well to various missions and military setups. This makes it a powerful tool for modern armies that want smarter, safer, and more efficient combat options.
References
- The information is sourced from the Milrem Robotics press release for IDEX and NAVDEX 2024.
- Defence News published the interview with Gert Hankewitz, the spokesman for Milrem Robotics.
- The specifications for the Metravib Defence product, the Pilar V Acoustic Detector, were detailed in the press release.
- The UAE Ministry of Defence announced the UMEX 2024 contract.
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