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14 Mar 25. Overwatch, a British aerospace and defence business specialising in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, have signed a collaboration agreement to drive product development, production, and sales of cutting-edge unmanned defence solutions worldwide. Under this collaboration, Overwatch and Milrem Robotics will undertake joint research and development assessments to explore possibilities for integrating capabilities, payloads, and effects between Overwatch’s UAVs and Milrem Robotics’ unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), with the aim of developing highly interoperable unmanned systems. Both parties will engage in collaborative test and evaluation efforts to advance operational capabilities and deliver enhanced performance under realistic mission conditions.
“Overwatch is thrilled to embark on this strategic collaboration with Milrem Robotics,” said Drew Michael, CEO of Overwatch. “By leveraging our respective strengths in UAV and UGV technologies, we aim to deliver unparalleled unmanned defence capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.”
“We look forward to working closely with Overwatch to expand our product portfolios and address emerging market demands,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “By combining our expertise and jointly exploring R&D and testing, we expect to develop integrated solutions that will significantly enhance operational effectiveness and mission success for our clients,” he added.
The companies will also coordinate marketing activities to promote each other’s products beyond their domestic markets, opening up new business opportunities across global defence sectors.
About Overwatch
Overwatch is a British aerospace and defence business specialising in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles, including the APEX coaxial UAV. Renowned for innovation and technological excellence, Overwatch aims to deliver cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational capabilities for defence and security operations globally.
About Milrem Robotics
Milrem Robotics is the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and the UAE. The company’s flagship – the THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) – is part of robotics programs or in service in 19 countries. Milrem is also known for the HAVOC Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), and MIFIK —the autonomous functionalities kit. The company is also renowned for successfully completing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) project iMUGS, which focused on developing a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems.
13 Mar 25. Memorandum of Understanding: Indra and Rheinmetall continue their successful cooperation for Leopard 2 E Combat System. Indra and Rheinmetall Electronics have signed an agreement to propose an upgrade of the Spanish Leopard 2 E Combat System. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies that are compliant with future C4I solutions in combat platforms to come. Indra and Rheinmetall Electronics jointly produced the Combat System (Fire Control System and C4I system) for all Spanish Leopard 2 E. With this recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they continue their successful cooperation for the production and service of respective fire control systems and C4I systems. Rheinmetall Electronics was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Leopard 2 fire control systems and enables flexible fleet management with a unified core system and individual adaptations at the customer’s request. Indra and Rheinmetall jointly offer state-of-the-art solutions that are fully compatible with other Leopard 2 versions. Leopard 2 users are thus able to operate a common product base and at the same time exchange innovative individual product improvements over the entire life time. Indra and Rheinmetall are leading defense companies in Europe with a focus on innovative land systems. Both companies are also specialists in high-tech mission equipment and C4I solutions for all military needs. Indra contributes expertise in the service and production of the “Combat System Leopard 2”. Indra also offers its own developments of electro-optics, battle management systems (BMS ET and Lince) and mission systems (Maestre) for platforms such as the Leopard 2 E main battle tank, the Pizarro IFV infantry fighting vehicle and the VCR 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle. Rheinmetall produces modern, fully digitalized and customized defense electronics and software. The modular and open architecture includes innovative functions such as: automated operations, seamless integration of weapons and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), network integration and manned and unmanned operating modes. Spain and other NATO and EU member states are currently increasing their defence budgets to improve the operational readiness of their combat vehicle fleets.
11 Mar 25. Pearson Engineering to supply 99 engineering capability kits to Polish Main Battle Tanks via US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Office. New M1A2 SEP V3 Main Battle Tanks, set to be delivered in 2025 to the Polish Armed Forces via U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS), will be equipped with track width mine ploughs and combat dozer blades following a contract awarded to Pearson Engineering. The engineering capability will be integrated via Pearson Engineering’s innovative SLICE vehicle interface kit which is designed to enable a fighting vehicle to rapidly accept and operate a wide range of Front-End Equipment (FEE) to facilitate independent battlefield manoeuvre. SLICE does not require any modification to the vehicle based on a novel ‘Plug & Play approach’ that does not impact vehicle lethality or survivability. The contract follows news released in 2023 that a first customer had taken into service Pearson Engineering’s new SLICE enabling the interoperability of FEE between main battle tanks and dedicated engineering vehicles. The demand to support independent manoeuvre for main battle tanks and other fighting vehicles comes as the battlespace becomes increasingly contested over broader stretches of terrain. Dedicated engineering vehicles, whilst offering important specialist capability, cannot be everywhere at all times forcing Commanders to make choices based on asset availability rather than best tactical opportunity. By providing independent mobility, counter-mobility and survivability options to those operating fighting vehicles, Commanders are able to move to places of their choosing to overcome their adversaries. This leaves dedicated combat engineers to undertake the most specialist and dangerous tasks that support overall strategic main effort, creating safe routes for convoys, laying assault bridging and tackling complex obstacles. Pearson Engineering’s involvement with U.S. FMS office follows decades of support to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, including the supply of a wide range of FEE to the ABV Engineering Vehicle, M1 Main Battle Tank, Stryker Engineer Support Vehicle and a number of MRAPs.
“This is an important contract for Pearson Engineering as we look to extend our support to the operators of various vehicle types. Pearson Engineering will always be the home of the combat engineer and we’re investing heavily in the next generation of capability to support specialist requirements. We also know that agility and flexibility is key when undertaking land manoeuvre operations. By enabling interoperability of FEE via SLICE, we hope that armed forces can deliver an overall improved engineer effect that provides the battle winning advantage.” – Richard Beatson, Business Development Director.
07 Mar 25. US Army taps Textron’s Ripsaw M3 for Robotic Combat Vehicle program, sources say. If the service’s previous RCV plans hold true, the company will begin finalizing designs ahead of additional prototype deliveries next year. Textron Systems’s Ripsaw 3 has won the US Army’s latest Robotic Combat Vehicle competition, according to a trio of sources familiar with the program. The service isn’t expected to formally announce that decision until later this month, but vendors have been notified. However, sources inside industry and the Army told Breaking Defense that Textron is the victor. When asked about the decision, an Army spokesperson declined to comment on whether a selection had been made said it is still an “ongoing competition until awards are finalized.” Textron did not immediately respond to questions about the contract decision, but the company has previously touted its offering.
“The Ripsaw M3 leverages a modular open systems architecture (MOSA) design and common chassis to support a variety of interchangeable payloads from a basic flat-top deck configuration,” the company wrote in a press release last year. “A rugged and reliable RCV platform, the vehicle is designed to meet Army requirements while preserving transportability and mission versatility.”
Under an earlier RCV iteration with three vehicle sizes — light, medium and heavy — Textron’s Ripsaw M5 secured the medium prototyping contract. However, the service changed course and relaunched a new competition for just one RCV size. It then selected Textron, along with McQ, General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Defense, to proceed and awarded them with a combined total of $24.7m for the first phase of the project. Each team was then tasked with delivering two RCV prototypes by August 2024 for mobility testing and soldier touchpoints.
Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the service’s Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, told Breaking Defense last year that the service would then use those findings to help select a single company to proceed with Phase II this year, which would mean the winner would be finalizing designs and delivering up to nine prototypes by fiscal 2026. Service leaders would then be set up to decide how to proceed with the program in FY27, according to budget justification documents and previous Army statements. If it’s greenlit to proceed, soldiers could be using the unmanned vehicles the following year. It’s not clear if this timeline still holds today given budgeting plans and a new administration. New Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s call to reallocate bns in defense spending does have a carveout for “autonomous systems,” but doesn’t specifically mention ground vehicles.
Also, the vehicle itself is only half the challenge when it comes to the RCV program. Leaders are grappling with just how much autonomy early vehicles will have, the number of soldiers required to remotely control them and what payloads they will carry first. The service is poised to continue working through some of those question marks over the coming years including at Fort Irwin, Calif., this month when RCVs and other autonomous weapons take centerstage at the Project Convergence Capstone 5 event. Alex Miller, the Army Chief’s Chief Technology Officer, also told reporters last month that these new autonomous prototypes will play a significant role in the service’s plans for “transformation in contact” 2.0 this year. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
03 Mar 25. Supacat promotes SMEs and Job Security within the Defence Sector at Downing Street. Supacat, a leading manufacturer of high-performance vehicles, recently had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Defence John Healey. On 3rd March 2025, a meeting took place in the wake of the government’s announcement regarding an increase in defence spending. During the discussion, various initiatives and innovations in defence technology were explored, highlighting the importance of investing in advanced capabilities to strengthen national security and support the armed forces, as well as provide job security within the defence sector.
Lizzie Jones, Supacat Operations Director, stated: “Supacat is a UK designer and manufacturer of military vehicles that serve our allied nations and protect our sovereignty. We are honoured to be invited to 10 Downing Street to discuss our active production line at the Freeport in Plymouth, where we are manufacturing tactical vehicles that will be deployed with the British Army later this year. During the meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable John Healey MP, we demonstrated how we are providing job opportunities and job security to support our defence sector. This included introducing one of our 27 apprentices, Rufus Montriou, who shared his firsthand experience as an apprentice at Supacat within the defence industry. This government’s continued commitment to our world-leading, innovative and agile defence sector is pivotal for sustaining defence sector SMEs, as their vision and mission creates jobs, economic growth and sustains our national security.”
06 Mar 25. Britain seeking to expand use of land drones. The British Army is actively developing uncrewed land systems as part of a broader modernisation programme, with multiple projects underway to enhance future capabilities, according to a written response from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Responding to a parliamentary question from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, on 28th February 2025, Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence, confirmed that the Army is implementing a combined programme to ensure it maintains lethality, protection, and mobility in future conflicts.
Eagle stated: “There are a number of programmes and projects across the Army actively developing and aiming to deliver uncrewed land system capabilities over the next decade.”
One of the key initiatives, Project TIQUILA, will provide the Royal Artillery with a Brigade-level Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) capability. According to the MoD, the project remains on track to reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by May 2025. The minister also highlighted that the Army’s wider modernisation efforts involve a multi-bn-pound investment programme, set to continue throughout the next decade. However, she noted that the future development of uncrewed land systems will be shaped by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. While the MoD has not disclosed specifics on the full scope of new uncrewed ground vehicles or autonomous technologies being developed, the emphasis on modernisation suggests that unmanned systems will play an increasing role in the Army’s future capabilities. Further details are expected as Project TIQUILA progresses and additional programmes take shape. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/ https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
07 Mar 25. India signs $248m deal with Russia for advanced battle tank engines. India has signed a $248m contract with Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport to acquire more powerful engines for its Soviet-era battle tanks, the Indian Defence Ministry said on Friday. The T-72 tank, first introduced in India in the 1970s, is the mainstay of the Indian Army’s fleet. It operates about 2,500 such tanks fitted with a 780 horsepower (HP) engine. The new acquisition of 1,000 HP engines will replace engines of the existing fleet to “enhance the battlefield mobility and offensive capability of the Indian Army”, the ministry said in a statement. The deal includes transfer of technology from Rosoboronexport to Indian state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd for licensed production of the engines. India is the world’s largest arms importer and Russia has been its top defence supplier for decades, although Moscow’s ability to provide systems was damaged by its war in Ukraine, which has made New Delhi look more westward for suppliers. (Source: Reuters)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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