Britain is massively arming itself with drones: the Minister of Defense announced a breakthrough in the next 5 years

Drones instead of soldiers — where will the front be now?

The British army is preparing for a large-scale re-equipment. Defense Secretary Luke Pollard confirmed that over the next five years, unmanned systems will become a key part of the conventional armed forces. This is not just the purchase of a couple dozen drones for reconnaissance, but a systemic change. Drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) will enter the army in large batches, replacing people in the most dangerous tasks.

Now each battalion can receive its own "robo-squad".

Air and ground robots will join the army

So far, the details remain general, but one thing is clear: we are talking about two directions.

The first is aerial drones of all classes: from small reconnaissance aircraft to medium—range attack drones.

The second is ground—based robots (UGVs) capable of carrying cargo, clearing mines, conducting surveillance, or even launching strikes.

Such machines are already being used on a trial basis, but now their introduction will become widespread and mandatory for departments.

Why now?

The answer is simple: modern combat has become too dangerous for a living person in advanced areas. Drones allow you to take pictures of reconnaissance, adjust fire, deliver ammunition — and all this without risking your life. This is especially important against the background of a shortage of personnel and the growing threat from cheap but effective enemy drones.

Britain does not want to lag behind the United States, Israel or China. She wants to be at the forefront.

How will this change the army

In five years, the British soldier will be working not alone, but in conjunction with machines. He will be able to launch a drone to check the building, send a robot forward to investigate, use UGV to evacuate the wounded. The army will become lighter, more mobile and safer.

This is not the end of the human factor — it is its reinforcement. It's just that now a soldier is not only a shooter, but also an operator of a whole network of smart cars.

Sources

1. Lenta.ru — Luke Pollard data on massive UK UAV deliveries
2. Mail.ru News — Pollard on ramping-up British Army drone numbers
3. Gazeta.ru — Pollard announces start of bulk drone purchases
4. Interfax — UK-led coalition plan to ship tens of thousands of UAVs to Ukraine in 2025
5. SovaNews — “Drone Coalition” to begin deliveries of tens of thousands of drones in January

LPP unveiled an innovative unmanned ground vehicle at IDET 2025

 At IDET 2025 in Brno, the Czech defense company LPP unveiled its latest unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), demonstrating a striking combination of remotely controlled firepower and integrated ammunition barrage systems. This innovative platform is an example of the fusion of ground-based and aerial unmanned technologies aimed at increasing battlefield versatility and operational effectiveness. As modern warfare increasingly relies on autonomous systems, LPP's UGV represents significant progress in force multiplication and tactical adaptability.

UGV

Turkey is increasing production of the Barkan unmanned ground vehicle: efficiency in combat conditions has brought UGV into mass production

 

Barkan

After successfully passing field tests and proven effectiveness in real-world operational conditions, the Turkish unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) Barkan, developed by HAVELSAN, officially goes into serial production. This strategic decision was made by the Turkish Defense Industry Directorate (SSB) in order to strengthen the technological base and combat power of the Turkish armed forces.

Barkan was put into service in 2023, and over the past period has proven to be a reliable and adaptive platform capable of performing a wide range of tasks — from reconnaissance and surveillance to logistical support and fire cover. During operations, he has repeatedly demonstrated a high degree of autonomy, resistance to electronic warfare, and the ability to integrate with existing command systems.

During its refinement, special attention was paid to feedback from direct users and analysis results from the real battlefield. This allowed HAVELSAN to implement important updates that increased the functionality, survivability and interaction of the device with other elements of the tactical network.

The serial production of Barkan opens up new opportunities for the modernization of the Turkish army, making it one of the first countries in the region to actively introduce robotic systems into daily combat practice. It is expected that deliveries of new units of equipment will begin in the coming months, which will significantly increase the level of automation and safety when performing risky missions.

This step also demonstrates Turkey's desire for technological independence and the development of its own defense industry capable of competing in the international market.

German ARX Robotics presented the GEREON combat robot to the British army: a demonstration of real capabilities

GEREON

The German defense company ARX Robotics conducted a practical demonstration of its robotic transport system GEREON in front of representatives of  the British Army and the British Ministry of Defense. The event became an important stage in the promotion of technology on the international arms market and showed that the system is already ready for use in real conditions.

During the event, live, unfiltered tests of an unmanned ground platform (UGV) were conducted, during which GEREON performed a wide range of combat support tasks. Key features include Autonomous mobility, on-the-go reconnaissance, rapid replenishment of ammunition and supplies, and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC). These actions were performed without operator involvement, which highlights the high level of platform autonomy.

According to representatives of ARX Robotics, the demonstration was not aimed at a theoretical description of the possibilities, but at confirming their implementation in the field. This is especially important for army customers who require proven solutions that can withstand real combat loads.

GEREON is a multifunctional platform that can be adapted to various missions, from logistical support to mine clearance and surveillance. Its design allows it to operate in difficult weather and terrain conditions, which makes it promising for use in modern operations.

Given the growing interest of NATO countries in autonomous systems, solutions such as GEREON are becoming increasingly relevant. The British side has already noted the effectiveness of the demonstration and intends to continue exploring the potential use of this technology in its armed forces.

The US Army Acquires The Estonian THeMIS Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Arctic Operations

 The US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) has acquired the Estonian unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) THeMIS, equipped with a set of intelligent MIFIK functions from Milrem Robotics.

This advanced system will support research and operations in extremely cold conditions, especially in Arctic regions.

THeMIS UGV is a modular unmanned platform designed for logistics, intelligence and operational support. In the Cargo configuration, the vehicle helps troops by delivering supplies, equipment, and additional weapons to mission areas, which reduces both the need for manpower and the cognitive burden on soldiers.

Estonian unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS