Latvian company develops battlefield logistics vehicle

A Latvian defense company has presented its UNHUMAN unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) during the Griffin Tech Days 2026 exercises hosted by Finnish Special Forces at the Rovajärvi Training Area in northern Finland.

The robotic vehicle was demonstrated in genuine Arctic conditions northeast of Rovaniemi, where temperatures dropped to –27°C.

The UNHUMAN UGV, developed by Latvia-based Brasa Defence Systems, is intended to serve as an autonomous logistics platform capable of transporting supplies, equipment, and wounded personnel across difficult terrain. The company said the system was designed from the outset as a practical battlefield tool rather than a purely experimental prototype.

During a conversation with Kristians Bredermanis, advisor at Brasa Defence Systems, he outlined the operational thinking behind the platform.

“Recent conflicts have shown that unmanned systems are becoming an essential part of military operations. With UNHUMAN, we focused on building a robust unmanned ground platform capable of supporting frontline units by delivering supplies, transporting equipment, and performing missions that would otherwise expose personnel to significant risk,” Bredermanis said.

The concept behind the platform is straightforward: create a small robotic vehicle that can carry heavy loads across terrain that would normally require soldiers to move on foot. According to the company, the system can transport ammunition, equipment, or other supplies to forward positions while reducing the need for personnel to enter potentially dangerous areas.

UNHUMAN system during Griffin Tech Days 2026 exercises in Finland (Brasa Defence Systems pic)

The vehicle itself weighs about 110 kilograms but can carry up to 200 kilograms of payload, more than its own weight. Depending on the mission profile, the system can operate for roughly 10 hours on a single charge using an electric drivetrain that produces about 3.5 kilowatts of power and approximately 200 newton-meters of torque. The UGV can reach speeds of around 13 kilometers per hour, allowing it to keep pace with dismounted units in the field. According to the company, the system has been tested in forests, loose sand, and steep terrain before being subjected to the harsh Arctic environment in Finland.

Brasa Defence Systems said the platform was designed with several operational roles in mind. In addition to logistics resupply, the system can be used for transporting ammunition and equipment, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), or serving as a mobile platform for sensors or communication systems. The platform can also be configured with a remote weapon station using a 7.62-millimeter weapon, allowing the vehicle to operate as a remotely controlled security or support platform when required.

According to Bredermanis, development of the UNHUMAN system has taken more than six years. During that time the vehicle underwent several stages of engineering development and field testing aimed at validating endurance, payload capacity, and mobility under realistic terrain conditions.

Testing was conducted both internally and in cooperation with military organizations, focusing on how the vehicle performs in environments similar to those encountered in real operations.

Unlike many experimental robotic platforms, Brasa Defence Systems said the UNHUMAN vehicle was designed with mass production in mind. The company focused on building a system that could be manufactured in larger numbers and maintained easily by units in the field. Key features include a modular design, high payload capacity relative to vehicle weight, and the use of industrial components intended to simplify maintenance and supply chains.

(Brasa Defence Systems pic)

According to the company, the system can serve as a combat service support platform, a casualty evacuation vehicle, or part of a C4ISR support network, providing mobility for sensors, communication systems, or other equipment used in modern military operations.

Interest in robotic logistics vehicles has grown as armed forces examine ways to operate supply chains in environments where vehicles and personnel may be under constant observation by drones or other surveillance systems.

Modern conflicts have shown that logistics units often operate close to the frontline, where moving supplies or evacuating casualties can expose personnel to direct threats. Robotic platforms can help reduce that exposure by performing some of those tasks remotely.

Brasa Defence Systems said it is open to cooperation with international partners and defense organizations exploring robotic logistics capabilities. Future collaboration could include technology partnerships, joint development projects, or integration with other military systems.
Beyond military applications, the company said the platform also has potential use in civilian crisis response environments such as firefighting operations, search-and-rescue missions, and infrastructure maintenance tasks.

Future development of unmanned systems is expected to focus on increasing autonomy and integrating artificial intelligence capabilities that allow a single operator to supervise multiple vehicles at once.