【軍武新知】芬蘭軍方招標排爆機器人 加速戰場機器人化布局

圖片來源：Hanna Arhirova/美聯社

芬蘭軍方近日宣布啟動一項新招標，計畫引進大小不同的軍用無人地面機器人，用於排除爆炸物威脅。這反映出歐洲各國軍隊正加速推進戰場機器人化。

芬蘭軍方表示，這些機器人將專門提供給爆炸物處理（EOD）與簡易爆炸裝置處理（IEDD）部隊使用。除了適應芬蘭境內的地形環境外，它們還需能夠投入海外維和及危機應對行動。

首批計畫採購 4 台平台，包含備件與培訓，未來可能擴展至 8 台。軍方要求每台設備重量須低於 300 公斤，採用履帶式設計，能夠無線遙控操作，並可安裝至少 兩套爆炸物干擾器。操作人員則需能遠端啟動相關裝置。整體合約金額估計 1430 萬歐元（1670 萬美元）。

過去幾年，烏克蘭在無人地面載具（UGV）領域持續領跑，甚至成立了全球首支 UGV 營，推動各國加快佈局。相比之下，早期各國對此類平台的發展較為謹慎，主要著眼於逐步取代或補充傳統排爆系統。

2023 年夏季，愛沙尼亞國防軍曾舉辦展示活動，邀請廠商展示其無人地面載具性能。當時專家指出，若要應對如烏克蘭戰場般的高強度環境，這些設備需要更高的耐用性與測試標準。

隨後，UGV 的需求急速增長。愛沙尼亞 Milrem Robotics（現已被阿聯酋 Edge 集團收購）向烏克蘭交付了十多台 THeMIS UGV，同時還獲得日本與阿聯酋的訂單。今年 荷蘭國防部則代表「烏克蘭特別工作組」與 Rheinmetall Defense Nederland 簽約，提供 20 台 UGV 給烏軍。

另一方面，法國正在測試 Aurochs 4x4 UGV，目標在 2040 年前實現戰場部署；義大利也與歐洲防務署（EDA）合作，舉辦了首場 歐盟範圍內 OPEX 作戰演示，由六家歐洲防務企業展示無人機與地面機器人的最新能力。

Finnish Military Launches Tender for Bomb-Disposal Robots, Accelerating Battlefield Robotics Deployment

The Finnish Defense Forces recently announced the launch of a new tender to acquire military unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) of various sizes for handling explosive threats. The move reflects a broader trend across Europe, where armed forces are accelerating the deployment of battlefield robotics.

According to the Finnish military, the robots will be used specifically by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) units. In addition to operating in Finland’s domestic terrain, the systems must also be capable of participating in international peacekeeping and crisis response missions.

The initial procurement plan covers four platforms, including spare parts and training, with the potential to expand to eight units in the future. Each system must weigh less than 300 kilograms, use a tracked design, be remotely operable, and be fitted with at least two disruptors for disabling explosive devices. Operators must be able to activate the disruptors remotely. The total contract value is estimated at €14.3 million (US$16.7 million).

In recent years, Ukraine has led the development and deployment of UGVs, even establishing the world’s first UGV battalion, which has prompted other countries to accelerate their own programs. Previously, development of such platforms was cautious, with militaries using them mainly as a gradual replacement or supplement to traditional explosive ordnance disposal systems.

In the summer of 2023, the Estonian Defence Forces organized a demonstration event, inviting vendors to showcase the performance of their UGVs. Experts at the time noted that for deployment in high-intensity operational environments like the Ukraine conflict, these systems require significantly greater durability and testing.

Since then, demand for UGVs has grown rapidly. Estonian manufacturer Milrem Robotics (now acquired by the UAE’s Edge Group) has delivered more than a dozen THeMIS UGVs to Ukraine and received orders from Japan and the UAE. This year, the Dutch Ministry of Defense, on behalf of the Ukraine Task Force, signed a contract with Rheinmetall Defense Nederland to supply 20 UGVs to Ukrainian forces.

Meanwhile, France is testing the Aurochs 4x4 UGV with plans to field combat-ready robotic capabilities by 2040. Italy has also partnered with the European Defence Agency (EDA) to host the first EU-wide OPEX operational demonstration, where six European defense companies showcased the latest capabilities of drones and unmanned ground systems.