DOK-ING and Rheinmetall Forge Joint Venture for Unmanned Combat Vehicles

 In a significant development for the defence industry, Croatian manufacturer DOK-ING and German technology group Rheinmetall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture focused on unmanned and remote-controlled combat and combat support vehicles. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić.

This partnership aims to position the joint venture as a market leader in the burgeoning segment of unmanned ground systems (UGS), leveraging fully European technology and value creation. The initial goal is to jointly develop an unmanned system designed for mine scattering and counter-mobility operations, with a demonstrator expected to be unveiled in 2025.

Under the MoU, the two companies will collaborate on the development and marketing of the new DOK-ING Komodo platform. Rheinmetall will contribute various capability modules, including upgrades for direct and indirect fire, mine-laying, reconnaissance sensors, and logistics solutions, alongside its extensive international market access and industrial capabilities.

As Dr Björn Bernhard, head of the Vehicle Systems Europe division, explains: “DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent two leading European suppliers in their field, joining forces to carry out challenging projects. Together, we aim to set new standards and pave the way for the series production and application of UGSs. We are addressing the European market as well as other partner nations.”

Vjekoslav Majetić, founder and President of the supervisory board of DOK-ING, stated: “The technological and industrial synergies between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and armoured breaching systems in Europe. We see this agreement as a fundamental contribution to creating a common future.”

The joint venture will also work on various combat and combat support solutions, including the development of an unmanned armed support vehicle, referred to as a Wingman, designed to assist battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in reconnaissance and fire support roles. These systems are expected to complement existing Rheinmetall products, such as the KF51 Panther tank, the Büffel-3 armoured recovery vehicle, and the Kodiak-3 armoured engineer vehicle.

The implementation of this MoU is contingent upon regulatory approvals from relevant authorities, including the European Commission and national competition bodies, paving the way for a promising collaboration in the field of unmanned military systems.

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