The leading developer and manufacturer of military robotic land systems in Europe, Milrem Robotics, and the German systems house for main battle tanks and combat systems Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The contract provides for KMW to acquire a minority stake of 24.9% in Milrem Robotics.
Milrem Robotics will remain an independent company.
Both companies announced they will work closely together in the development of the European Center of Excellence for Military Robotics in Estonia.
The objective is to combine the know-how and expertise of both companies to develop innovative solutions to meet the requirements of future military missions involving the interaction of manned and unmanned systems.
“We intend to become the European center of excellence for unmanned technology and robotics innovations. The partnership with KMW facilitates further innovations for future products and services, especially in the area of the teaming of manned and unmanned systems and sensor-to-shooter solutions,” emphasized Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
“KMW as the European market leader for land systems and Milrem Robotics as the European market leader for unmanned land systems are an excellent fit. Our collaboration gives us the opportunity to work on innovative and new solutions that will impact the future of the defense industry. In addition, further synergies are also expected from this cooperation in the context of KNDS,” said Horst Rieder, CFO of KMW.
The objective of the cooperation on the part of KMW is the integration of modern leading robotics systems into KMW’s technology systems.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, a member of the German-French defense technology group KNDS, leads the European market for highly protected wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Brazil, Greece, Hungary, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the USA more than 4.000 employees develop, manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, highly protected wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, AMPV*, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER*) through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, Remote Controlled Howitzer 155, Armored Howitzer PzH2000, DONAR* and AGM) to main battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry fighting vehicles (PUMA*) and bridge-laying systems.
In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in the area of civil and military simulation, as well as in command and information systems, C4I and remote-controlled weapon stations with reconnaissance and observation equipment. The armed forces of more than 50 nations worldwide rely on tactical systems by KMW.
* Joint venture with national and international partners
