First-of-its-kind modular hybrid unmanned ground vehicle unveils at the Singapore Airshow 2016

SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2016 (Antara/PRNewswire) -- Milrem, an Estonian defence solutions provider specialising in military engineering, unveils the first-of-its-kind modular hybrid unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System), today at the Singapore Airshow 2016.

A multi-mission vehicle platform that can assist and replace soldiers on the battlefield in complex and hazardous tasks, THeMIS is able to reduce operational risks and work as a force multiplier.

Together with Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics), Milrem developed the THeMIS ADDER which is a variant where THeMIS is equipped with ST Kinetics' remote weapon station, the RWS ADDER. THeMIS ADDER will be exhibited at the Singapore Airshow 2016 at the Unmanned Solutions Demo Square at ST Engineering Pavilion, G01, Changi Exhibition Centre, from 16-21 February 2016.

Unlike existing UGVs, THeMIS is a highly modular platform that allows different superstructures to be mounted and integrated onto the middle vehicular platform for complex missions such as rescue, transport, reconnaissance. The flexibility and versatile nature of the system not only increases efficiency, it also significantly reduces the life cycle costs of these complex unmanned systems with simplified maintenance and spare supplies.

"Unmanned systems will play a significant role in the development of military capabilities in future. Within the next 10 years, we will see smart ground systems complimenting the human troops during joint missions. We are excited to be in cooperation with ST Kinetics for THeMIS ADDER, and we're sure that this universal UGV concept will effectively supplement defence capabilities on a battalion level," said Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem.

In line with THeMIS, Milrem has also launched the Digital Infantry Battlefield Solution (DIBS), the tactical usage of smart unmanned systems up to battalion level. This is a program in development in conjunction with the Estonian National Defence College. DIBS analyses a wide variety of tactical user cases and provides new approaches to the warfare doctrines. Practical solutions will be tested in corporation with Estonian Defence Forces.

Milrem has successfully conducted initial running tests for the THeMIS prototype, and THeMIS will be ready for production by the end of this year.

For more information, watch the demo and test drive video here. The HD version of the video can also be downloaded here.

For media enquiries, please contact media@milrem.ee.

About Milrem AS

Milrem AS is an Estonian defence solutions provider specialising in military engineering, repairing and maintenance. Established in 2013 by Mootor Grupp, Milrem's mission is to be a reliable partner in the defence and security sector to offer flexible product development solutions and integrated life cycle support for defence equipment. The two main lines of activities are the research and development of unmanned vehicles, and repair and maintenance of heavy duty military vehicles. Milrem is a member of Estonian Defence Industry Association.

About THeMIS

THeMIS is the first modular hybrid unmanned ground vehicle in the world. The vehicle is fully modular, and it can be used for a very wide variety of applications, from simple transportation to advanced weapon systems. THeMIS is a base platform for the Digital Infantry Battlefield Solution (DIBS) which will be developed with an aim to reduce the number of human troops on battleground. Combined with flexible and intuitive control system THeMIS and DIBS will give a basis for changing the warfare doctrines.

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