Ukrainian defense technology company Frontline has successfully partnered with Estonian robotics manufacturer Milrem Robotics to integrate the Ukrainian-developed Buria grenade launcher system onto Estonia’s THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle, with live-fire trials conducted in Ukraine demonstrating the system’s combat effectiveness at ranges exceeding 1,100 meters.
The integration represents a milestone in international defense cooperation between Ukraine and Estonia. The combined system underwent combat trials on August 12, 2025, where it demonstrated precise target engagement capabilities while keeping operators safely removed from danger zones. According to Paul Clayton, Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics, the successful demonstration “verifies the reliability and accuracy of the BURIA-THeMIS integration” and “highlights the expanding role of robotic platforms in improving tactical effectiveness and operator safety on the modern battlefield”
The THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle holds the distinction of being the first UGV in its class deployed by Ukrainian Armed Forces for combat operations against Russian forces. The platform has proven its versatility in various battlefield roles, from logistics support to mine clearance operations. The Buria turret, designed for the 40mm Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher, has been in service with Ukrainian military units since January 2025 and is already in serial production
Used to work with Estonian robotics team a few years back - the little country packs some incredible talent! Glad to see it put to use to save Ukrainian lives.
It’s not an altogether altruistic move. The Baltic States have good reason to be readier than the rest of EU.
All we need now are fully automated mining, smelting, and factories to build these things and the perpetual war on Earth can out last our species.
Total Annihilation
“In a word, they wanted Progress”
