The Estonian robotics developer Milrem Robotics has announced plans to deliver over 150 THeMIS robotic systems to Ukraine. This initiative is being funded and coordinated by the Netherlands.
A significant portion of these vehicles will be assembled in collaboration with the Dutch company VDL Defentec.
Details about the THeMIS delivery were revealed in September, but the partner country was not disclosed at that time. Now, the Dutch Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, joined Milrem Robotics and VDL for an official announcement and contract signing at the VDL factory.

"Deliveries will be made by Milrem Robotics Netherlands in close cooperation with VDL Defentec, which is setting up a special final assembly line at its facility. This assembly line is designed to be scalable, allowing for increased production and delivery according to future demands," stated Milrem Robotics in their announcement.

The Estonian company will also provide training for Ukrainian operators and maintenance personnel to ensure effective use and servicing of the THeMIS systems.

"We are honored to lead this project in partnership with the Netherlands and VDL. The THeMIS platform has already proven its value in combat situations, and we believe this contribution will significantly enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities," said Milrem Robotics CEO Kuldar Vaarsi.

The new systems will complement 15 existing THeMIS units that have been operational in Ukraine since 2022 and have demonstrated their effectiveness on the battlefield. THeMIS is a versatile unmanned ground vehicle platform designed to support infantry and improve battlefield efficiency. It is part of robotics programs and is used in 19 countries worldwide.