Autonomous Ground Vehicle Integration for Defense Applications

Milrem Robotics, Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów (ZMT), and PCO have entered into technical agreements to develop and manufacture armed and sensor-equipped unmanned ground platforms for defense operations. The collaboration focuses on interfacing modular autonomous robotic platforms with specialized military payloads to address combat and reconnaissance requirements.

Industrial Cooperation Framework
The initiative builds on a framework established in March 2026 between Milrem Robotics and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). The technical scope involves two PGZ Group subsidiaries: ZMT, which supplies remote weapon stations, and PCO, which provides optical and optoelectronic sensing suites. Milrem Robotics supplies the base chassis architecture and autonomous control systems. Combining these complementary areas of expertise eliminates integration bottlenecks between mechanical mobility platforms, optoelectronic sensor interfaces, and ballistic targeting units.

Technical Integration and System Architecture
Under the primary agreements, engineering teams will resolve mechanical, electrical, and data protocol interfaces between the payload systems and the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) chassis. ZMT oversees the mechanical mounting, power distribution, and firing logic integration for its remote weapon stations, including a 12.7 mm multi-barrel machine gun (WLKM). PCO leads the optoelectronic architecture, integrating thermal imaging, optical cameras, and laser rangefinders into the vehicle control interface to ensure situational awareness, target acquisition, and autonomous navigation support. The systems are designed for application across both autonomous ground platforms and conventional manned combat vehicles.

Operational Deployment and Verification
Field testing and integration demonstrations took place during the MSPO defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland, in September 2026. Demonstration configurations featured the Milrem Robotics THeMIS UGV integrated with the ZMT remote weapon station, as well as a separate variant mounting the TUGA radar system developed by PIT-RADWAR. These prototypes validate interface compatibility, center-of-gravity stabilization, weapon stabilization under remote control, and radar surveillance functioning in dynamic operational environments.

Strategic Applications and Technical Impact
The integrated unmanned systems are designed for high-risk defense roles, including border surveillance, perimeter defense, direct fire support, and radar reconnaissance. By transferring lethal and reconnaissance systems to remotely operated and autonomous ground vehicles, operational doctrines can reduce direct personnel exposure to kinetic threats. Standardized payload integration interfaces also accelerate production scalability and simplify field maintainability for armed forces.

“Our cooperation with PGZ is moving from a broad framework into concrete areas where we can combine the strengths of Polish industry with our experience in military robotics,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “ZMT’s weapon systems and PCO’s optoelectronic capabilities are a natural fit for unmanned platforms, and together we see opportunities to develop solutions for both the Polish Armed Forces and international customers.”

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

www.milremrobotics.com