Hanwha Aerospace and Milrem Robotics have formalised a partnership to collaborate on Romania’s uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) programme.
The agreement was signed on 14 May 2026 at the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace (BSDA) exhibition in Bucharest. It was attended by Hanwha Aerospace Romania CEO Lino Lim, Hanwha Aerospace unmanned land systems business division head Byungho Park, and Milrem Robotics CEO Kuldar Väärsi.
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Romanian defence industry association, PATROMIL executive director Viorel Manole, attended the event in an observer capacity.
The cooperation will combine Hanwha’s uncrewed wheeled platform production and localisation capabilities in Romania with Milrem Robotics’ expertise in tracked UGV technologies developed in Estonia.
Hanwha Aerospace Romania is expected to be the prime contractor of the programme, according to a Business Korea report.
The company will deliver wheeled UGVs based on its Arion-SMET platform and the upgraded GRUNT, a 6×6 vehicle developed for extended range, heavy payloads and modular adaptability.
Milrem Robotics, for its part, is set to contribute the THeMIS tracked UGV platform, recognised for performance in challenging terrain and flexible integration of mission payloads.
Earlier this week, the partner companies demonstrated the integration of their systems during a live Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) event.
The demonstration featured Hanwha’s TIGON wheeled armoured vehicle, the GRUNT multipurpose UGV, and Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS unmanned cargo vehicle, completing operational missions simulating reconnaissance, logistics support, casualty evacuation, and drone-enabled battlefield tasks.
The latest partnership follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2025 by the companies for joint development and global market expansion of robotic combat vehicles and other ground robotic systems.
Hanwha Aerospace Romania CEO Lino Lim said: “We are pleased to mark this collaboration at BSDA 2026, which represents an important step in bringing advanced unmanned capabilities into Romania through localized production and industrial cooperation.
“By combining next-generation UGV technologies from the two companies, we aim to deliver a flexible and scalable solution tailored to Romania’s operational needs, while contributing to the development of its defence industrial base and strengthening European cooperation.”
In addition to Hanwha and Milrem Robotics, Turkish military vehicle manufacturer Otokar showcased a Multirole Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed “specifically for the Romanian Armed Forces” at BSDA 2026.
The UGV was presented as part of a consortium that includes Otokar, BlueSpace Technologies, and Elektroland Defense.
The vehicle is based on a modular 6×6 platform designed for Nato interoperability, intended to support various operational roles and reduce personnel risk in high-threat scenarios.
The platform incorporates a distinct chassis structure, electric drivetrain, battery systems, and mobility subsystems. Within the consortium, BlueSpace handles navigation, autonomous technologies, secure communications, and cybersecurity.
