On Tuesday, September 16, on the sidelines of Brave1 Defense Tech Valley 2025, the world's largest investment summit in the field of defense technologies, the multifunctional VATAG Heavy Ground Robotic Platform was presented - a solution in the segment of H-UGV.
The VATAG H-UGV, with its power reserve, high cross-country ability as well as modern control systems, can perform a full spectrum of operations – from logistics and engineering support to active participation in combat missions, including the integration and deployment of weapon systems.
Read more: Ukraine to Receive Record Number of Combat-Proven THeMIS UGVs from Estonia's Milrem Robotics
VATAG is equipped with a hybrid powerpack for long-term autonomy and is capable of transporting more than 2 tons of payload. The platform is enhanced with integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, which already today provide autonomous navigation as well as mission control functions.
As noted in a comment to Defense Express by the VATAG project manager Anatoly Nikitin, the primary purpose of the VATAG H-UGV developers was to protect human life bytransferring high-risk tasks to robotic systems. The platform lays the foundation for an H-UGV ecosystem with deep AI integration, designed for autonomy, survivability in contested environments, and seamless interoperability with existing assets.
In particular, according to Anatoly Nikitin, in addition to the H-UGV itself, such an ecosystem already includes a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) equipped with an automatic 25 mm cannon, as well as AI-driven hardware/software solutions designed to further expand autonomy – from navigation to elements of battlefield decision-making..
As noted by a representative of the developer company, the project development roadmap envisions expanded payload options, broader interoperability, and scalability across diverse mission scenarios.
The VATAG project manager Anatoly Nikitin also reported that the VATAG H-UGV, having prospects for further improvement, is already endowed with a number of properties that will qualitatively distinguish it on the modern battlefield. Thus, to drive the VATAG, a hybrid power plant is used, which has high fuel efficiency with a “silent mode” (electric drive without generator) for stealth operations. The same hybrid power plant would serve as a mobile power bank for combat units, supporting logistics and field operations
The developers have already integrated modern solutions into the VATAG H-UGV that provide stable communications and EW resilience. In particular, multi-channel redundant communicationswith automatic channel selection will ensure uninterrupted telemetry and control in electronic warfare environments.
It was also stated, that GPS-denied navigation with automatic route planning, obstacle avoidance, and convoy operations was implemented today in the VATAG H-UGV in a supporting role while engineers are working on further development of this function.
Also, autonomous navigation without GPS with automatic route selection, obstacle avoidance and convoy mode has already been implemented in VATAG, and engineers are working on further development of this function.
Finally, Anatoly Nikitin reported that the multifunctional VATAG heavy ground robotic platform is ready for serial production with a significant pace of production of finished products.
It is not yet disclosed which company is working on the VATAG H-UGV. It is known that this is a dedicated projectof an international company with 11 years of experience in robotics and drone technologies. It is also known that the developer possesses the industrial base and expertise required for mass serialproduction, ensuring readiness for rapid deployment and localized component manufacturing tailored to customer requirements.
As, Defense Express treported earlier, Ukrainian 28th Brigade unveiled new UGV with Igla MANPADS to counter attack aircraft. We also wrote, that Ukraine presented Mesh system to operate UGVs without airborne relay.
Read more: Ukraine Deploys Full-Size Ground Warrior: Introduces the PROTECTOR Heavy UGV
