Ukrainian Firm Integrates Grenade Launcher into Milrem Robotics' Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Ukrainian defense company Frontline has partnered with Estonia’s Milrem Robotics to mount its Burya 40 mm automatic grenade launcher on the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle, conducting live-fire trials in Ukraine under combat conditions, the company announced on Aug. 12.

The tests, part of a training program, demonstrated effective target engagement at distances exceeding 1,100 meters while allowing operators to remain at a safe distance. Frontline said the combined system maintained stable performance and accuracy during the trials, with additional testing planned in the coming weeks to assess its capability in varying battlefield scenarios.

Frontline’s Burya turret, in service since January 2025 and already in mass production, was paired with Milrem’s THeMIS platform — the first unmanned ground vehicle used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Frontline CEO Yevhen Tretiak, the setup enables fully remote operation, reducing risk to personnel.

The collaboration underscores increasing cooperation between Ukrainian and European defense firms, with Ukraine contributing combat experience and European partners delivering engineering expertise. In July 2024, Ukraine and the EU launched the BraveTech EU military innovation program, committing $117 million to battlefield-driven solutions. The same month, German defense company Quantum Systems acquired a 10% stake in Frontline, with the option to expand its shareholding to 25% within a year.