Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
Patria Land Systems is positioning itself to support a number of mid-life upgrade (MLU) programmes for the XA-180 6x6 platform, as several European armies look to modernise the legacy vehicle.
The Finnish army is the first customer to undergo an MLU of its XA-180 fleet, which will extend the life of the vehicles, first produced in 1984, into the 2030s.
In December 2017 a £14 million contract was announced for the upgrade of 65 units, following the completion of similar work to 70 vehicles between 2015 and 2017.
Other users of the Finnish-built armoured personnel carriers (APC) - including Estonia,
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Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.