Recent media reports indicate that Ukraine has approved the use of the first ground-based combat robots equipped with Droid NW 40 grenade launchers, and other European countries are also demonstrating their assertiveness with their own defense robotics and drone innovations, supported by autonomous combat robots.

The “Droid NW 40” from Ukrainian manufacturer DevDroid, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), is designed to be equipped with both the US Mk-19 and Ukrainian AGL-53 40 mm grenade launchers and to meet NATO standards for range and operational flexibility. Military experts see this new system as marking the transition from pure surveillance or transport robots to tactically active UGV firepower platforms that can significantly reduce the risk to infantry by providing fire support without the direct presence of soldiers.

Last Robot Standing: Robots hold their ground

Ukraine is already successfully using UGVs to combine reconnaissance and firepower along the front lines, and earlier systems, such as a robot equipped with a .50-caliber machine gun, are said to have held their positions for several weeks. The operational experience gained from this is being incorporated into current systems, increasing tactical innovation on both sides of the conflict.

Defense robotics in our own technology and industrial environment

Parallel to the procurement of individual platforms, there is a growing awareness in Europe that defense robotics is not just a US phenomenon, but must also be developed in our own technology and industrial environment in order to maintain strategic autonomy. HANNOVER MESSE, the world's most important platform for all technologies related to industrial transformation, is responding to this new awareness with the Defense Production Area, creating a new exhibition area for modern production technologies in the defense sector. There, companies will present concrete solutions for how the defense and security industry can scale its manufacturing capacities quickly, efficiently, and securely – embedded in the industrial environment and international reach of HANNOVER MESSE. For example, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger will explain on the Center Stage at HANNOVER MESSE 2026 how shifts in the global security order are posing significant challenges for the defense industry. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, and hypersonic weapons are rapidly changing requirements. Papperger will use a panel discussion to show how Rheinmetall is responding to these technological and geopolitical changes in the face of international competition.

Growing DefenseTech ecosystem

Current developments include Quantum Frontline Industries, a newly founded German-Ukrainian joint venture that is launching industrial production of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Ukrainian armed forces. The new UAVs are based on the proven “Zoom” and “Linza” drone designs. The production line is scheduled to start up in the first quarter of 2026 and will be set up in Germany – as a powerful response to the enormous demand for functional drones in the current war. Quantum Systems, based in Munich, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of autonomous AI-supported eVTOL drones for inspection, reconnaissance, and tactical ISR tasks. The acronym eVTOL stands for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft. The Munich-based defense tech company Helsing also develops AI-supported loitering munition drones such as the HX-2 and fortified ISR drones (HF-1), which are already in use in large numbers and are produced in Europe. In addition, Helsing is working on larger autonomous systems such as the UCAV CA-1 Europa with a long range and weapon carrying capacity, which is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2027. Finally, Munich is represented for the third time in this list with ARX Robotics. The startup produces modular, autonomous UGVs with scalable hardware and software architectures for tactical tasks. According to the Munich-based company, platforms such as Hector or systems that connect existing vehicle fleets via software (with Mithra OS) are currently being evaluated or procured by several European armed forces. Startups such as ARX are thus part of a growing defense tech ecosystem that integrates AI functions, autonomous navigation, and adaptive deployment roles—as part of a structured defense dual-use cluster in Bavaria and beyond.

Many players are working toward long-term strategic independence for Europe

In addition to German players, other European manufacturers such as Granta Autonomy from Lithuania are also active, for example with the Hornet and X-Wing loitering solutions, which are designed to conduct autonomous reconnaissance and monitor target areas more persistently as relevant support for NATO operations and local defense tasks. Another important European UGV developer is Milrem Robotics from Estonia. Products from the Estonians, such as THeMIS, are coming into focus for European armed forces, and industrial lessons learned from their use in Ukraine are being directly incorporated into further developments. In addition to classic drones and UGVs, European manufacturers are also advancing unmanned maritime systems: The Ukrainian MAGURA series, for example, shows how autonomous surface and lake navigation boats can be used for patrols, mine clearance, or so-called inclusive air defense. Larger collaborations such as the Eurodrone MALE RPAS (Airbus/Dassault/Leonardo) are also being pursued as part of Europe's long-term strategic independence. Maiden flights are planned for the second half of the decade.

Defense robotics as part of a European defense strategy

The increased development and procurement of defense robotics systems is part of a European defense strategy that combines rising military spending and integrated funding programs – such as the European Defense Fund – to bring AI, robotics, and autonomous systems from research to application more quickly. Germany, for example, is promoting drone production through the Federal Ministry of Defense and recently allocated a budget for loitering munitions – colloquially known as kamikaze drones – to increase the Bundeswehr's striking power and tactical flexibility. Experts from the procurement office are currently testing the new systems. According to media reports, solutions from the Berlin-based defense startup Stark Defence with its Virtus drone, from Rheinmetall with its Raider model, and from the Munich-based company Helsing, which specializes in AI for the military, with its HX-2 drone are on the shortlist.

Systems must be integrated ethically, normatively, and in terms of security policy

With Ukraine's approval of the Droid NW 40 mentioned at the beginning of this article, a trend is gaining momentum that more and more European players are picking up on: robotics and drones are no longer seen merely as auxiliary systems, but as central components of tactical, networked defense architectures. German companies and startups such as Quantum Systems, ARX Robotics, and Helsing are playing a central role in this, while transnational cooperation and industrialized drone production are Europe's response to the high demands of modern conflicts. At the same time, the challenge remains great to integrate these systems into existing defense frameworks in an ethically, normatively, and security-politically responsible manner. International industry gatherings such as HANNOVER MESSE are therefore important events, not only for advancing the networking of defense architectures, but also for strategically discussing the resulting social responsibility.