Robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics will support the upgrade of the Estonian Defence Forces infantry fighting vehicles, as part of a consortium led by Go Craft and Scania Estonia.
In June, the Estonian Centre of Defence investment awarded Go Craft and Scania Estonia a €29.3m (£25.2m) contract for upgrading 37 CV90 combat vehicles, procured from Norway in 2016.
Over the next two years, the companies with the support of Milrem Robotics will refurbish all 37 CV90’s and convert 31 into different types of supporting vehicles, including fire support, engineering, and anti-tank roles. These vehicles will be based on the need of the Estonian Defence Forces 1st Infantry Brigade Scouts Battalion.
Tormis Saar, head of military field at Go Craft, said: “As the technical task and work effort in the given time frame is ambitious, we have supplemented our team and chosen sub-contractors to support our mission.
“Milrem Robotics was the best choice to lead the mechanical engineering process to make the final design with the needed and chosen components according to all military standards and as ergonomic and user friendly.”
Milrem Robotics added it aims to provide expertise in engineering, managing prototyping of end products, as well as preparing operator and maintenance-oriented documents. It will also conduct operator and maintenance-oriented training.
“We have developed extensive engineering competence over the last eight years. We have a strong team in the Nordic countries with competence not only in autonomous navigation, but as well in hybrid drive, electrical and mechanical engineering, and systems integration,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
“The Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle is proof of these competences. This CV90 project is a good example that we can work with more traditional and manned vehicles as well.”
