*Athanasios Tsakalos

It is widely known that MBDA and its partners – Cypriot companies SignalGenerix, Additess and the Cyprus Institute together with THALES, Novadem, SAFRAN, FN Herstal, JCD, RMA (ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY – KONINKLIJKE MILITAIRE SCHOOL) and Xenics met in Cyprus on September 28 & 29, 2022 in the framework of the LynkEUs project.

The said project was selected under the European Defence Industrial Development Program (EDIDP) as to define an initial operational concept for a made-in-Europe BLOS (Beyond Line Of Sight) capability. 

During the two days of the event in Cyprus static and dynamic firings were conducted.

In fact, the two firing tests of the AKERON MP missile were not only successfully executed at Kalo Chorio firing range, but also constituted an important step in executing a true European BLOS (Beyond Line Of Sight) capability.

As set forth in the article below, the first day of the event included a static and dynamic demonstration of the new European anti-tank capabilities, while the second day included the BLOS test of anti-tank missiles.

Also read: LynkEUs | BLOS anti-tank system tested in Cyprus – Strong participation in European programs by Cypriot companies

The successful firings, which were both the culmination and completion of the LynkEUS program, were carried out both by a Sherpa Light vehicle equipped with a twin AKERON MP launcher of the French companies Arquus and MBDA respectively. The static demonstration also included an 8×8 AMV wheeled vehicle of the Finnish defence company Patria Group. The AMV featured a Belgian John Cockerill-type 3030 turret with a twin AKERON MP launcher and 30 mm gun.

Also read: Japan | Agreement on the production and supply of Patria AMV XP 8×8 vehicles

In this context, dynamic demonstrations with different UAVs also took place, including a small quadcopter UAV equipped with new-generation European infrared (IR) sensors and various unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with remote weapon stations as well as observation and identification sensors mounted on a gimbal or a small turret.

What was not disclosed on that day, however, was that the aforementioned unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) were two Milrem Robotics THeMIS UGV variants. Milrem participated in the project as a subcontractor along with DELAIR and CARMENTA.

THeMIS is a well-known UGV already in service with 11 nations including the UK, the Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, and the US. Furthermore, the system is being used by Ukrainian Forces and is seen in action with French Forces in Mali.

Also read: DSEI 2023 | MILREM ROBOTICS – EDGE GROUP – Integration of Hunter 2-S loitering munition with THEMIS Combat UGV

However, in Cyprus, the 2 variants of the UGV in question were used to demonstrate capabilities for missions of a rather different nature and specifically the use of beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) robotic systems.

In particular, Milrem Robotics presented THeMIS Observe, which features critical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, as well as THeMIS Combat with deFNder® Light, equipped with a lightweight Remote Weapon Station (RWS) that carries a 7.62 mm FN Herstal light machine gun (e.g. the FN MAG) for fire support.

THeMIS, a technological achievement which defines modularity, is designed to provide infantry support, while through its functions the manufacturers believe that it can also reduce the number of necessary personnel in the field.

Also read: DSEI 2023 | MILREM ROBOTICS – EDGE GROUP – Integration of Hunter 2-S loitering munition with THEMIS Combat UGV

 THeMIS technical characteristics:

• Maximum speed: 20 km/h
• Length: 2.4 m
• Width: 2 m
• Height: 1.15 m
• Payload: 750 kg
• Maximum payload: 1200 kg
• Maximum side slope: 30%
• Run time (hybrid): up to 15 hours
• Run time with electricity: up to 1.5 hours
• Line of sight control range: 1.5 km
• Cameras: IR (MIL-STD-810G), Thermal, HDR
• Sensors: LiDARs

The role of Cyprus was particularly enhanced in the LynkEUS project with demonstrations taking place on Cypriot soil validating the capabilities developed by the various partners in the framework of the project.

The second phase of the program includes the MARSEUS program, featuring SIGNALGENERIX and ADDITESS. More on this in the following article.

Also read: MARSEUS | One of the first programs of the European Defence Fund for 2022 with the participation of Cypriot Companies