Tested for the first time: Ukrainian remote-controlled buggies for the Defence Forces

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Brave1 defense innovation cluster are working to equip the military with modern remote-controlled buggies. These Ukrainian-made vehicles recently underwent non-public testing for the first time.

Service members from the “Tymur Special Unit” of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) took part in the trials.

How the first tests of Ukrainian remote-controlled buggies were conducted

The service members did not merely observe the tests – they operated the vehicles themselves and immediately provided constructive feedback. During the trials, the buggies were evaluated against a range of criteria considered priorities for front-line use.

Manufacturers are already refining their solutions based on military feedback. The next step is to test the remaining available solutions.

The purpose of remote-controlled buggies is to save warriors’ lives

Unmanned vehicles help save service members' lives. This is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. Deploying such vehicles on the battlefield is another step toward military robotization.

The Defence Forces of Ukraine have already been using foreign-made buggies for some time. Efforts are underway to build a full-fledged market for Ukrainian systems equipped with reliable remote-control technology. More than half of the solutions currently available in Ukraine have already received grants from Brave1.

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are increasingly replacing Ukrainian service members on the front line. The number of UGV missions has increased 3.3-fold since the beginning of 2026. In August alone, the UGVs carried out more than 25,000 logistics and evacuation missions, delivering ammunition, water and food and evacuating wounded defenders.