Ukraine’s Armed Forces will soon receive a new “robotic combat system” which the country’s leadership describes as the latest “reliable tool” in the conflict with Russia.
Unmanned vehicles, in particular aerial drones, have played a critical role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine since the full-scale invasion was launched in February, 2022.
As casualties mount for both sides—at least 700,000 for Russia by State Department estimates, and over 400,000 for Ukraine according to Volodymyr Zelensky—remote controlled weaponry promises to alleviate the rapid depletion of both countries’ fighting forces.
On Monday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced that it had codified the Droid TW 12.7, thereby approving the new miniature tank for combat operations.
The droid, which the Ministry said had “confirmed its reliability during combat tests,” is fitted with a Browning 12.7, an iteration of the NATO-standardized heavy machine gun used by several of the Alliance’s member states, as well as Israel, South Korea and Japan.
The TW 12.7’s tracked platform allows it to negotiate the “toughest conditions,” according to the announcement, and can be controlled remotely via tablet.
“In today’s warfare, technology plays a crucial role in providing an advantage on the battlefield. The codification and commissioning of the Ukrainian Droid TW 12.7 robotic complex is a significant step towards the introduction of innovations in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said.
The Ministry shared footage of the new weapon in action on X and Telegram, showcasing it maneuvering and firing rounds at targets in a field.
“We codify samples that become a reliable tool for our defenders, helping them perform tasks in the most difficult conditions,” Klimenkov added.
“Our advantage is a high-tech army capable of withstanding modern challenges,” he said.
According to TechUkraine, an NGO focused on incorporating the country into the “global technological ecosystem,” the droid was developed domestically by defense firm DevDroid.
TechUkraine cited DevDroid as saying that the TW 12.7 had “proven its reliability and effectiveness in field trials, meeting the highest standards,” and said that the new system’s adherence to NATO specifications means it “can be shared with and utilized by other democratic nations facing security threats.”
It added that the TW 12.7 can be delivered within 45 days, and costs between $26,000 and $29,000 to develop.
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for further details on the Droid TW 12.7, and to inquire where it will be deployed following the latest approval.
Ministry of Defense of Ukraine via X
The codification of the new system underscores both the country’s focus on advancing its unmanned arsenal, as well as its intensified efforts to expand domestic armament production.
In October, the Ministry of Defense announced that it had codified and adopted “over 900 weapons and military equipment models” for use by the Armed Forces in the first nine months of 2024, over 600 of which were developed domestically. This marked a significant increase over 2023, which saw the codification of only 405 pieces of equipment.
Commenting on this milestone, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk said: “In 2024, domestic weapon manufacturers not only increased production of a wide range of weapons and military equipment but also created many new models. Specifically, this is about the production of high-tech weapons, the role of which is significantly increasing on the battlefield.”
“To enhance the Defence Forces’ capabilities in the skies and on land and to broaden the production of effective warfare tools, it is crucial to boost military-technical collaboration with partners,” he added. “The more we attract financial and technological investments, the less chances the kremlin will have to implement its aggressive plans.”
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