Milrem Robotics
Estonian UGV maker; produces THeMIS; first non-Estonian line opened in Netherlands for Ukraine.
Milrem Robotics, the Estonian firm behind the THeMIS ground robot deployed in Ukraine since 2022, licensed its production line to a Dutch partner in June 2026 and by 11 August was coordinating a 15-country EU control-standard programme, iMUGS2.
Last refreshed: 12 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can a second UGV line in the Netherlands actually match Ukrainian battlefield demand?
Timeline for Milrem Robotics
Coordinated the 29-partner iMUGS2 consortium
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: One control standard for EU war robotsMentioned in: Ukraine robot maker doubles its output
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaSigned non-binding MoUs with CNIM and Frankenburg Technologies at Eurosatory
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: Milrem leaves Paris with intent onlyOpened a THeMIS UGV production line at Born, Netherlands, handing over first Dutch-funded units for Ukraine
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: Milrem builds THeMIS outside Estonia for UkraineMentioned in: ARX builds British Army robot line
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaBackground
Milrem Robotics is an Estonian defence company and Europe's leading unmanned ground vehicle manufacturer, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Tallinn. It designed and builds THeMIS, a tracked modular UGV used for logistics, casualty evacuation, ISR and direct-fire support, and led iMUGS, the EU-funded programme that produced a common European UGV architecture; it now coordinates iMUGS2, the follow-on 15-country programme running to a Norway demonstration exercise in 2028.
THeMIS has been deployed in Ukraine since 2022, giving Milrem verified combat feedback that few European UGV makers can match. The company has operated as part of the Helsing group since a 2023 acquisition, which accelerated its AI-integration roadmap without moving its Estonian manufacturing base.
A Dutch partner began assembling THeMIS units at Born, Netherlands, from around 4 June 2026, the design's first production line outside Estonia, exporting Milrem's manufacturing know-how rather than the platform's design authority.
Milrem exports its manufacturing know-how
Milrem's own THeMIS design stayed in Estonian hands since 2013, but with a Dutch partner assembling more than 100 units for Ukraine from around 4 June 2026, Milrem effectively exported its manufacturing know-how rather than the platform itself: design authority remains in Tallinn while assembly happens in Limburg. The move followed a fivefold expansion of Germany's rival GEREON fleet a month earlier, evidence that Milrem's single Estonian factory could no longer meet wartime surge orders alone.
By 11 August, Milrem was coordinating iMUGS2, the EU's second-phase common-control-standard programme spanning 15 countries and running to a Norway exercise in 2028, extending the standard-setting role it built through the original iMUGS project.
What is Milrem Robotics and where is it based?
Why did Milrem open a production line in the Netherlands?
How long has THeMIS been used in Ukraine?
What is the iMUGS programme that Milrem led?
Is Milrem's Netherlands production model being copied by other UGV makers?
