Germany and Ukraine test armed ground robot for frontline deployment

A German and a Ukrainian defence company have tested an armed ground robot intended for use by Ukrainian forces, with the first systems expected to be integrated and delivered by the end of 2026. The vehicle, known as GEREON, was developed by ARX Robotics and can be fitted with a weapons module made by Ukrainian company ROBONEERS. The companies say the system is designed to support frontline missions while allowing soldiers to operate from a safer distance.

The cooperation agreement was signed in early October during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy present. According to the companies, the first robotic vehicles fitted with the new module should be ready before the end of 2026 and delivered in line with the needs of Ukraine's armed forces. The platform is described as an unmanned vehicle that provides mobility and power, and can also carry out reconnaissance using cameras and sensors.

The SABER weapons module can be mounted on top of the vehicle to provide remotely operated fire support for attack and defence roles. The module is also said to be customisable, allowing different weapons to be fitted depending on the mission, including rifles and grenade launchers. Unarmed versions of GEREON are already being used in Ukraine for supply transport, casualty evacuation, electronic warfare support, reconnaissance and counter-drone tasks.

The development reflects the growing role of unmanned systems in the war in Ukraine, where both sides have increasingly relied on drones and robotic platforms to reduce risk to personnel and extend battlefield reach. ARX Robotics says GEREON is the largest fleet of Western-built unmanned ground vehicles currently in use in Ukraine. The companies say the aim is to create a flexible robotic system that can be adapted quickly for different frontline missions.

The project also highlights wider defence-industrial cooperation between Germany and Ukraine at a time when Kyiv is seeking more advanced military technology and production support. ROBONEERS says its robotic systems have already been used in more than 15,000 frontline missions since 2014. The two companies are also working together on another unmanned ground vehicle, the Rys Pro, through a joint venture aimed at expanding production in Germany and Ukraine.

What remains unclear is how many armed GEREON systems will ultimately be delivered and how quickly they can be fielded once integration is complete. The companies have said the first deliveries are due by the end of 2026, but they have not given a full production schedule. The extent to which the system will be used in combat, rather than support roles, will also depend on Ukraine's operational needs and deployment decisions.

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