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04 Sep 25. Uganda revealed as another MCAV-20 customer. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has emerged as another user of the United Arab Emirates-built MCAV-20 armoured vehicle, joining a growing number of African nations to have acquired the type. On 22 August, the UPDF said that its Motorised Infantry Division had passed out its first intake of Multi-Role Combat Armoured Vehicle-20 (MCAV-20) drivers after a six-month specialised training programme. A total of 78 soldiers, including four females, drawn from the Motorised Infantry Division and the Special Forces Command (SFC), successfully completed the course. Colonel Esibio Omaria, the Division Operations and Training Officer, explained that the course was built around five key pillars: offensive and defensive driving, basic maintenance, obstacle crossing, and terrain navigation. “The graduates have attained skills in assertive driving manoeuvres to dominate the road, suppress obstacles, disrupt hostile vehicles, and execute tactics to neutralise threats or extract VIPs under direct attack,” Omaria said. The Motorised Infantry Division Commander, Major General Charles Byanyima, praised the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for guiding the modification of the vehicles, which enhanced their operational effectiveness, according to the UPDF. At least five MCAV-20 vehicles were seen during the graduation ceremony, but it is not clear how many have been acquired by Uganda. The Motorised Infantry Division is a relatively new formation that the UPDF referred to for the first time in October 2024. It is presumably an expansion of the Motorised Infantry Brigade, which was also based at Nakasongola Cantonment until at least 2022, according to Janes. The UPDF is the eighth known operator of the MCAV-20, which was launched by Abu Dhabi-based Calidus in February 2021. Other customers include Benin, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mauritania, and Mozambique. The MCAV-20 is one of several vehicles manufactured by Calidus, along with the LRV-20 lightweight 4×4 and Al Wahash 8×8. The latter was designed by South Africa’s ADG Mobility. The MCAV-20 appears to be powered by a 330 hp engine and protected against ballistic and landmine threats. A ‘smart hull design’ allows for the integration of turrets and weapon stations. The vehicle weighs around 7-9 tons and has a top speed of about 110 km/h. The UAE is strengthening its military relations with Uganda, according to a Janes report, which noted that when Lieutenant General Issa Saif al-Mazrouei, chief of staff of the UAE Armed Forces, visited Uganda in July, the UPDF said he held discussions with Kainerugaba, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son and the chief of defence forces, on a forthcoming memorandum of understanding that would further enhance military co-operation. The UPDF also revealed in June 2024 that it had received unspecified training from Global Security Services Group, a company that normally works for the Emirati government, when it thanked its CEO, Mohammad Hamdan Alzaabi. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
04 Sep 25. Supacat has today received its first export order from Czech Ministry of Defence for eighteen (18) High Mobility Transporter (HMT) similar to that of the UKs Jackal 3 Extenda, a versatile platform developed for use by global Special Forces, to be used by the Czech’s 601st Special Forces Group. The extenda variant of this world-renowned cross-country vehicle, which will be on display next week at the Defence & Security Equipment International Show (DSEI) at Excel, London, is capable of speeds of 120 kph. The vehicle system will be deployed to 601st Special Forces Group, the Czech Armed Forces’ premier special operations unit, and an elite rapid response and strategic asset capable of special reconnaissance, offensive actions, and a wide range of support and other operations replacing their aging Land Rovers. This export contract follows on the heels of major UK orders over the past two years, proving that investment from the UK MoD greatly helps with export opportunities and crucial as the British Army exploits the flexibility and versatility of a vehicle built as it is on a common base platform for multiple applications. The HMT Mk3 Extenda (Jackal 3E) is the latest development of the operationally proven, highly capable HMT platform. Delivering superior payload capacity with exceptional off-road performance and operational transportability, the HMT Mk 3Extenda is in a class of its own. Supacat’s modular design philosophy provides a range of configuration options at production and the flexibility to re-role the base platform throughout the lifetime of the vehicle with a variety of mission modules and protection levels available to meet changing demands. In service with Special Forces across the world, the HMT Mk3 Extenda offers an entirely unique capability that allows the user the choice of either a 4×4 or 6×6 wheel drive vehicle delivered by one platform in either left- or right-hand drive. This highly versatile design enables the configuration of the system to meet specific mission-based demands.
Mr Miroslav Zizka, Managing Director of LPP – Supacat’s Czech partner – described the order as a win for both the Czech armed forces and Czech industry: ‘The 601st will get the best ruggedized vehicle on the market while the Czech economy will benefit from the substantial share of industrial participation which Supacat has entrusted to us.’
Named ‘Jackal’ by the British Army, the HMT series of mobile platforms is a supremely versatile system which was brought into service under urgent operational requirements (UOR) to provide British forces in Afghanistan with an off-road patrol and fire-support vehicle with increased performance, replacing variants of Land Rover which previously fulfilled the role. Since then, the British Army’s fleet has fully utilised the HMT platform in both 4×4 and 6×6 configurations, becoming integral to its land tactics and operations. Supplied with mine blast and ballistic protection kit, the HMT platform can also be fitted with a variety of mission specific load beds, weapons, communications, ISTAR, C-UAS (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) and force protection equipment to suit a wide range of operational roles.
Mr Phil Applegarth Director, Head of Supacat, the British manufacturer of Supacat vehicles, expressed the company’s delight at the Defence Committee’s endorsement: ‘This announcement vindicates our unwavering conviction that the Supacat Extenda provides the Czech armed forces with not only the best combat performance but also substantial industrial partnerships. Supacat has battle-proven capability, is 100% trusted by British and other Special Forces across the globe in its various iterations since the early 2000s and continues to operate and develop the platforms for the modern battlefield, including lessons from Ukraine and other territories.’
Mr Zizka noted that the Czech government is getting very good value for money: ‘The price for the vehicle platform is no more than that was paid by the British Army, Supacat’s largest customer and benefits from a mature supply chain and economies of scale from their current production line.’
Comments Nick Ames, CEO of Supacat’s parent group SC Group “This is terrific news. We have been developing our relationship with a range of European defence forces who are attracted to the vehicle system’s incredible performance and flexibility, and value for money, but also by a system which, in these unstable times, is 100% designed, developed and proprietary to the UK.
04 Sep 25. G3 Systems establishes major European supply chain partnerships to support delivery of the WTB contract for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. G3 Systems Limited, a British company with 24 years of operationally proven expertise in the design and production of deployable infrastructure solutions, has established several major European supply chain partnerships. These partnerships will form the foundations for the delivery of the contract to supply the Netherlands Ministry of Defence with circa 700 flatracks and containers, as part of their Wissellaadsystemen, Trekker-opleggercombinaties and WielBergingsvoertuigen (WTB) programme. The contract, consisting of a 30-month delivery phase followed by a 15-year support phase, was announced in May 2025. This announcement coincides with DSEI taking place 9-12 September 2025, Excel, London. As part of an EU focused manufacturing approach, G3 Systems, as the UK-based prime contractor, systems engineer and design authority, has engaged Variel Defence (based in the Czech Republic) to provide the majority of the container systems, Zamet-Glowno (based in Poland) to manufacture the flatracks and Nordic Shelter (a Norwegian company with a production facility in Estonia) to manufacture the specialist POL container systems. Led by G3 Systems, the group will complete the necessary design, manufacture and certification required for the circa 400 general purpose flatrack units and associated equipment and 270 specialist containers for the storage and transportation of general stores, medicinal items, ammunition and POL & chemicals. This is a key milestone in the design phase and allows G3 Systems to rapidly move towards production of the first systems, which should be achieved before the end of 2026.
Nick Rose, Managing Director of G3 Systems said, “It has been a super-busy year so far for G3 Systems, mobilising the necessary staff and partners to successfully deliver this significant contract whilst continuing to sustain and grow our core business segments. I am incredibly proud of all the efforts by the team to get us this far and very pleased to be collaborating so effectively with our European partners.” He added, “My heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to all who have been instrumental in establishing the necessary agreements to ensure this collaboration is effective and a success. I look forward to delivering the first units to the Dutch MOD in the near future and to building these relationships further into the future.”
02 Sep 25. Scout AI Inc. (“Scout”) and Hendrick Motorsports Technical Solutions (“HMS”) today announced a partnership on NOMAD, HMS’s next-generation unmanned ground vehicle (“UGV”) controlled by Scout’s Fury autonomy system. NOMAD represents Fury’s second UGV form factor and debuts Scout’s fastest foundation model to date, lightweight, low-latency, and purpose-built for compact robotic platforms. NOMAD also introduces Scout’s second-generation Fury hardware stack, which is more than 90% smaller and significantly more power-efficient than prior versions. The system remains low-signature and passive-sensing, enabling NOMAD to operate autonomously beyond line of sight, follow a human teammate from a safe distance, and integrate a wide range of payloads for light tactical ground missions.
“NOMAD is an incredible platform, fast, adaptable, and designed for the toughest mission environments,” said Colby Adcock, Co-Founder and CEO of Scout AI. “Our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports underscores the extensibility of Fury across multiple form factors. We’re just beginning to unlock its potential across ground, air, sea, and space domains.”
Building on Scout’s mission to deliver next-generation, camera-only autonomy, NOMAD combines Vision-Language-Action (VLA) reasoning with rugged, commercial off-the-shelf hardware. By eliminating costly and fragile sensors and relying on fully learned models, Fury provides human-like judgment in real time while maintaining a low-cost, low-signature footprint.
“At Hendrick Motorsports, our greatest strength has always been our people—the engineers, builders, and innovators who thrive under pressure and push technology to its limits,” said Rhegan Flanagan, Director of Government Programs at HMS. “We are proud to bring that same dedication to supporting the warfighter, whose mission and safety drive everything we do. Partnering with Scout AI allows us to combine world-class vehicle engineering with cutting-edge autonomy to deliver NOMAD—a commercial platform designed to give our servicemembers greater capability, protection, and confidence on the battlefield.”
About Scout AI
Scout AI was founded in 2024 by Colby Adcock and Collin Otis with the mission to build the AI brain for defense robotics. Its Fury autonomy stack is designed to transform uncrewed ground, air, sea, and space systems into intelligent, collaborative teammates that multiply warfighter effectiveness.
About Hendrick Motorsports
Founded in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned a record 14 NASCAR Cup Series championships. Its advanced engineering capabilities span high-performance automotive design, manufacturing, and systems integration. The NOMAD program marks Hendrick Motorsports Technical Solutions’ latest push into defense innovation, leveraging decades of motorsport engineering excellence. (Source: PR Newswire)
03 Sep 25. BAE Systems has joined GM Defense and their partner NP Aerospace – as team LionStrike – to offer the UK Ministry of Defence a mobility solution to rapidly modernise its ground vehicle fleet. Team LionStrike will offer a combination of GM Defense’s world class vehicle portfolio, including commercial trucks, sport utility vehicles and their flagship Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Mobility Programme. The Programme seeks to replace an aging fleet of military vehicles, with a focus on enhancing operational capabilities and cost efficiency. BAE Systems is working with GM Defense to enhance and upgrade commercial trucks and sport utility vehicles for military use. In addition, the companies will work with NP Aerospace to ensure that the vehicles comply with UK operational requirements. The work will be done by BAE Systems’ Weapon Systems UK business, which specialises in a range of world-class combat systems and plays a pivotal role in delivering solutions that meet the unique demands of UK and international operations.
John Borton, Managing Director, BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business, said:“The combined capabilities of Team LionStrike enable us to lead the charge for the UK Government’s ambitions to revitalise and sustain vital UK defence capacity, and ensure the British Army has the best capabilities to support their evolving needs.
The team’s expertise in innovation, technical excellence, and proven capabilities will equip the British military with enhanced mobile combat capability–helping them stay unmatched in battle.”
Steve duMont, President, GM Defense said: “Soldiers in the United Kingdom, the United States and our allies are facing unprecedented complexity in the modern battlespace and need new tools to perform their mission with greater operational capability, higher performance and improved safety and reliability.
“We have formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to make the UK more secure with fast, flexible and effective mobility solutions that reduce the complexity, cost, and risks of training and deploying troops.”
James Kempston, CEO at NP Aerospace said: “We are proud to have been selected by GM Defense to join Team LionStrike, alongside BAE Systems. NP Aerospace is a trusted partner of the UK MoD, with a long history of integrating and supporting more than 18,000 in-service vehicle systems.
As the team’s proposed UK-based Design Authority, specialist integrator, and support provider, NP Aerospace brings proven expertise and a strong track record of delivery. This ensures that Team LionStrike can be relied upon to deliver future vehicle programmes, including LMV. Importantly, Team LionStrike will help create and sustain skilled jobs at our Midlands base and generate new opportunities for our well-established UK supply chain, both domestically and internationally. This is a win-win for the MoD, industry, and the wider UK economy.” Team LionStrike will be exhibiting at UK’s Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) in London, starting on 9th September 2025.
03 Sep 25. Milrem Robotics to deliver a record number of THeMIS UGVs to Ukraine in collaboration with an EU member country. Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems, will supply the biggest fleet of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to Ukraine as part of a donation from a European government. In light of the drastically deteriorating security situation in Europe, governments are increasingly determined to strengthen their support for Ukraine and are at the same time enhancing the collaboration and ramp-up of the European Defence Industrial base.
“The cooperation between our governments and leading defence industry partners underscores how Europe can respond to shared threats with agility and unity,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “We take pride in contributing to Ukraine’s defence capabilities through our combat-proven THeMIS UGVs,” Väärsi added.
The assembly arrangement of the current delivery will be designed with scalability in mind, allowing for potential future deliveries if additional units are needed. Milrem Robotics will provide training to Ukrainian end-users, ensuring that future operators maintain operational readiness in the field. The THeMIS is a versatile, cost-effective and combat-proven unmanned vehicle platform designed to support dismounted troops and enhance battlefield effectiveness. It is already part of robotics programmes or in service in 19 countries, making it the most widely used UGV in its size class. The new units will join the initial 15 THeMIS UGVs already deployed in Ukraine, which have proved their combat effectiveness since 2022. The current donation underlines the common European commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities and solidarity with European allies to strengthen regional security.
02 Sep 25. British Army to receive 128 Ajax-series armoured vehicles in 2025. UK government went on the record to add that no journalists have been invited to Ajax test sites since February this year. The UK’s armoured cavalry programme will deliver a further 55 Ajax-series armoured vehicles between July 2025 and December 2025, for a total of 128 units delivered over the course of the year, according to new official figures. Detailed in a parliamentary response on 1 September, the UK Ministry of Defence stated it was further anticipated that 110 platforms would be delivered in 2026, with the remaining 297 units deliverable by 2028. This tallies with the plan to deliver 180 Ajax-series armoured vehicles by the end of 2025, with 152 having been manufactured in 2024. As the lead variant, the majority of deliveries through the remainder of 2025 will be the turreted reconnaissance Ajax armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), equipped with a 40mm CTA main gun. Other variants to be delivered include the Ares protected troops transport (five), the Apollo repair platform (one), the Atlas recovery vehicle (ten), and the command and control (C2) Athena (13). There will be no deliveries of the Argus armoured engineer variant through the rest of 2025.
“The programme remains on track to deliver all 589 vehicles by September 2029 as contracted,” stated Maria Eagle, UK Minister for Defence Procurement.
Given the planned timeline, the final two delivery years will have to average nearly 150 units per year, a rate last seen in 2024. Of note, a separate 1 September parliamentary statement in response to a question from Conservative MP Mark Francois regarding media invites to the Ajax test site in Bovington, stated “there have been no Ajax-specific events to which to invite journalists” since 1 February 2025.
“Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed,” stated Eagle.
The Ajax programme had to be paused in 2021 following revelations that crews training on early-build iterations had experiencing significant medical issues related to excessive noise and vibration.
Tracked structure of the future British Army
Earlier, in mid-2024, the UK government had stated that the British Army’s Ajax armoured cavalry programme would not reach initial operating capability (IOC) until December 2025. The IOC standard vehicle is known as Capability Drop 3 and forms the deployable standard ahead of the spiral development and integration of Capability Drop 4, or Full Operating Capability (FOC). British Army officials disclosed in September 2024 that the service had received its first Capability Drop 3 Athena command post vehicle. The Ajax AFV and armoured variants will form a central role of the British Army’s future combat structure, under the so-called Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), a term lifted straight from the lexicon of the US Army. Situated in Armoured BCT formations, the Ajax AFV would complement the current Challenger 2 and future Challenger 3 main battle tanks in providing the British Army’s lead heavy armour formations. (Source: army-technology.com)
02 Sep 25. Polaris Government and Defense, a division of Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), has been awarded a two-year framework contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for the supply of MRZR D light tactical vehicles valued at hundreds of millions USD. Contract options could extend the agreement up to five years, enabling NATO members and partner nations to acquire the MRZR D to enhance mobility and mission readiness across a range of operational environments. This procurement approach fulfills competition requirements, streamlining the acquisition process and eliminating the need for additional, time-consuming and costly trials and competitions. With this multi-year agreement, NATO member states and partner nations can call off MRZR D2 and D4 light tactical vehicles via the NSPA platform. MRZR Ds are currently fielded with more than 50 military and security forces worldwide, supporting expeditionary, rapid response and special operations missions. The MRZR D’s modular payload design, diesel powertrain, air and sea transportability make it a trusted platform for tactical mobility in complex terrain and contested zones. According to the NSPA, “Mobility and interoperability are key pillars of operational success in today’s multinational missions. Polaris’ MRZR D vehicles provide our allied forces with agile, mission-ready mobility to meet the evolving demands of modern operations. This contract further strengthens our ability to deliver critical capabilities to NATO and partner nations.” In addition to bulk pricing benefits and expedited acquisition, NSPA enables interoperability, standardization and a reduced logistics footprint across NATO members and partners.
“Polaris Government and Defense has partnered with NSPA for several years, delivering tactical vehicles and mobility solutions to allied forces. The MRZR D has proven to be a highly adaptable and reliable platform for our NATO partners,” said Steve Canner, manager, EMEA, Polaris Government and Defense. “We are proud to continue our support of NATO missions with vehicles designed to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.”
Polaris first introduced the MRZR platform in 2012 and has continued to enhance the vehicle to meet the mission demands of the U.S. military, delivering gas and diesel variants to more than 50 allied forces worldwide. MRZRs feature a mission-flexible modular design, collapsible roll cage for internal tactical air transport, one meter fording capability, greater payload and extended range over commercial platforms. The MRZR D is combat-proven and transportable inside AW101 Merlin, CH-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and most in-service fixed wing aircraft, as well as maritime vessels, enabling rapid deployment and dispersal of forces from aircraft or ship-to-shore platforms into theater. It is a highly configurable platform that supports personnel transport, casualty evacuation, command and control and light cargo roles — all with a focus on speed, versatility and off-road capability. Since their introduction, MRZRs have been outfitted with counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), weapons and high-energy laser systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, expeditionary command and control systems, autonomy packages, litters for medical and casualty evacuation, aircraft refueling systems and communication equipment. The MRZR D is part of Polaris Government and Defense’s broader portfolio of off-road mobility solutions that include the MRZR Alpha, MV 850, DAGOR and militarized snowmobiles.
01 Sep 25. Historic first as Royal Navy makes drone delivery between ships.
- Trial marks a key step in incorporating drones into the Royal Navy’s hybrid air wings, delivering on the Strategic Defence Review launched in June.
- Through the government’s Plan for Change, success underscores ongoing commitment to supporting the British defence industry as a key component of national security, economic growth, and technological innovation.
- Aim is to provide a cheap and efficient alternative to using helicopters or boat transfer to make deliveries and free them up to focus on operational tasks.
In a historic first, the Royal Navy made a delivery of supplies between warships using a British-made drone during its major 2025 Indo-Pacific mission. A Malloy T-150 octo-copter flew from flagship HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless during the UK Carrier Strike Group deployment – carrying critical supplies, including spare and repair parts from ship to ship. The drone was flown autonomously just over a mile and was eventually controlled by crews on Dauntless to guide it onto the ship’s flight deck and make a safe landing. The aim of the trial is to provide a cheap and efficient alternative to using helicopters or boat transfer to make deliveries and free them up to focus on operational tasks. It comes as the Royal Navy seeks to equip its Queen Elizabeth-class carriers with hybrid air wings, including fast jets, long-range weapons and a range of advanced drones and deliver on its plans set out in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review.
Lieutenant Matt Parfitt, 700X Pioneer Flight Commander said: “This is a key milestone for the trial, achieved by all the hard work that everyone has put in. I’m proud to have achieved this first for the Royal Navy and excited to progress further over the duration of the deployment.”
Captain Colin McGannity, Commander Air Group, UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “This milestone in the Malloy trials is a step toward the vision of a fully integrated hybrid carrier air wing. By taking some of the logistics burden, Malloy will allow our naval helicopters to concentrate on their core outputs, while delivering, rapid, more efficient resupply across the whole Strike Group. The really exciting bit is that we then plan to incorporate these lessons to be able to use UAVs for many other roles, including options for warfighting.”
The drones currently deployed on Operation Highmast – the name of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific – have carried out nearly 150 deck landings and flown more than 20 hours of sorties. In the latest phase, as HMS Prince of Wales and her escort warships made for port visits in Japan, the Malloy drone – an eight-bladed system operated by a crew of two able to carry up to 65kg and fly up to 60mph – was launched as part of a trial by 700X Naval Air Squadron. The T-150 drone is made by British company Malloy Aeronautics, which has been owned by BAE Systems since February 2024, and produces a variety of Uncrewed Air Systems designed for civilian and military purposes. Ongoing support for the British defence industry delivers on the government’s Plan for Change, positioning defence as both a protector of the nation and a driver of prosperity, innovation, and global influence.
Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “The Royal Navy is leading the way in shaping the future of Hybrid Air Wings, with the impressive progress showcased during Carrier Strike Group 25. Embracing autonomy is pivotal to the way we will operate in the future, and this achievement stands as a powerful example of our armed forces working seamlessly alongside British industry to deliver cutting-edge innovation and capability at sea.”
Neil Appleton, CEO of Malloy Aeronautics, said: “This is a very proud moment to see the T-150 delivering real benefit for the Royal Navy, supporting vital logistics operations with an easy to operate and low-cost solution. The trials demonstrate the value that Uncrewed Air Systems can bring to current, complex and costly operations.”
HMS Prince of Wales is currently in Japan following operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, India and Australia since deploying in April. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
29 Aug 25. BAE Systems Hägglunds rolls out Czech Army’s first CV90 IFV. BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden has rolled out the first CV9030 MkIV infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) destined for the Czech Republic’s Army. In May 2023, the Czech Republic awarded a $2.2bn contract to BAE Systems to acquire 246 CV90s in seven different variants. Of the total number of vehicles, 39 IFVs will be produced in Sweden and the remaining 207 units in the Czech Republic. BAE Systems, along with its Czech industry partners, will deliver the CV90s for the Army in a phased manner. The final vehicle deliveries are anticipated to complete by 2030. The delivery schedule is designed to facilitate a “smooth” integration of the new vehicles, enabling the Czech Army to conduct training for its personnel. It will also allow the service to incorporate the platforms into its mechanised brigades while preserving full operational readiness. BAE Systems Hägglunds managing director Tommy Gustafsson-Rask said: “The CV90 provides an unrivalled combination of mobility, firepower, and protection, and will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Czech Army.
“This is just the beginning – by joining the CV90 User Club, the Czech Republic also gains access to a community of experienced operators across Europe, enabling the exchange of operational insights, joint training opportunities, and accelerated introduction of future upgrades.”
The CV90 rollout event also highlights the progress following a tripartite agreement involving the Czech Republic, Sweden, and BAE Systems Hägglunds. This agreement is part of the Czech Republic’s broader initiative to modernise its military forces and equip its soldiers with some of Europe’s advanced combat systems. Featuring a 30mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon, advanced sensors and fire control systems, the CV90 MkIV represents the latest iteration of the battle-tested CV90 family. Its modular armour and active protection systems offer improved protection against various threats, complemented by high mobility and an adaptive suspension system, said BAE. The CV9030 MkIV can engage diverse targets and maintain peak performance across all combat scenarios, from high-intensity conflicts to peacekeeping operations. In March 2024, BAE Systems signed a $400m contract with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation to deliver maintenance and repair services for the fleet of CV90 armoured vehicles operated by the Danish Army. (Source: army-technology.com)
29 Aug 25. US Army awards three UxS autonomy agreements. Each company will integrate their autonomous technology into Army ISVs and present prototypes for evaluation in May 2026. The US Army has awarded three Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) for Unmanned Systems (UxS) autonomy to three companies. The agreements, totalling approximately $15.5m, have been awarded to Forterra based in Clarksburg, Maryland; Overland AI in Seattle, Washington and Scout AI in Sunnyvale, California. The goal of the agreements is to “rapidly integrate and deliver commercial autonomous mobility into Army formations”. Each company is tasked with incorporating their proprietary commercial autonomy technologies into the Army’s existing Infantry Support Vehicles (ISVs). The companies are required to have prototypes ready for delivery to US Army personnel by May 2026 for testing and evaluation purposes. Future Battle Platforms project manager colonel Ken Bernier said: “We are looking forward to seeing how our industry partner’s autonomy solutions perform on vehicles while performing relevant military missions.
“We remain committed to bringing the best technologies to our war fighters and shaping the future of autonomous mobility for our Army at an unprecedented speed.”
These trials will play a crucial role in guiding the Army’s future decisions regarding the use of autonomous and uncrewed systems within its operations. Successful outcomes from these evaluations could lead to the direct implementation of these capabilities across various ground vehicle platforms, said the US Army.
“This effort will serve as an opportunity for the Army to assess the reliability of commercial autonomy and their ability to deliver real operational value to soldiers in the field,” Bernier added.
Overland AI, with a workforce ranging between 51-200 employees, is committed to providing ground autonomy solutions to the US military and allied nations. Scout AI is focused on developing AI for defence robotics. The company’s foundational model, Fury, aims to convert uncrewed platforms into intelligent entities capable of adapting to various missions across multiple domains including land, air, sea, and space.
Forterra supplies the US Department of Defense with autonomous solutions designed to support asymmetric warfare in challenging environments.
“As the only company delivering across every major ground autonomy programme, Forterra’s AutoDrive will be integrated into UxS across all mission systems ensuring seamless interoperability, resilient communications, and robust autonomy. Enabling the ISV to operate independently or as part of a connected force, keeping soldiers safe and ahead in the complexity of modern battlefields,” said Forterra in a LinkedIn post. (Source: army-technology.com)
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