The THeMIS combat robot became the first ever European weapon system with integrated Emirati-made kamikaze drones

Estonian company Milrem Robotics was able to integrate Emirati-made kamikaze drones into its THeMIS combat robot. The system was demonstrated in London at the DSEI-2023 exhibition.

Here's What We Know

The UAV integration comes months after Milrem Robotics' majority stake in the company was bought out by a United Arab Emirates-based defence conglomerate. THeMIS is now armed with Hunter 2-S kamikaze drones.

The drone was developed by Halcon, which is part of the EDGE Group conglomerate. It is the first Emirati-made UAV that is capable of operating in swarm formation. The UAVs can communicate with each other during flight.

The Hunter 2-S can carry up to 2kg of payload. It has an optimum flight altitude of 500 metres and a cruising speed of 25 m/s. The kamikaze drone is airborne for 45 minutes. THeMIS can be armed with four UAVs.

Series production of the Huter 2-S is scheduled for 2025. THeMIS is the first European system to be armed with UAE-made drones. Potential buyers could include Poland and Sweden, which are actively building up their military power.

Source: Breaking Defence