Estonian robotics manufacturer Milrem Robotics has proposed an unmanned defence line for NATO’s eastern flank, with robotic systems taking on surveillance and other high-risk tasks, UK defence intelligence publisher Janes reports.

During a visit to Milrem’s Tallinn facility, capability development director Raul Rikk told Janes that persistent sensing, unmanned vehicles, integrated fires and faster decision-making would form part of the proposed Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. He also identified a practical obstacle: national drone, sensor and command systems do not yet work together reliably at scale.

Milrem sets out a robotic first line

Milrem’s own proposal describes ground vehicles and aerial systems deployed from protected positions, coordinated through a command-and-control network. Its THeMIS platform is intended for forward missions and its HAVOC vehicle for heavier engagements.

Janes article says Milrem expects more than 150 THeMIS vehicles to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2026, including 100 assembled by VDL Defentec in the Netherlands. The two firms have already opened the Dutch production line.

Janes visits Estonia’s defence sector

During the same press visit, Janes examined the Estonian division’s capabilities at Tapa. It also reported that Lockheed Martin applied to join the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association. A third Janes report says Estonian company Frankenburg Technologies plans to test an air-to-air version of its Mk1 counter-drone missile in Ukraine later this year.

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