Germany Reveals Ziesel Unmanned Anti-Tank Vehicle Equipped with Spike LR2 Missiles.

German Company Diehl Defence has introduced a compact unmanned ground vehicle based on the tracked Ziesel platform, armed with Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles and designed for forward infantry deployment. The system offers European and NATO forces a quiet, precision anti-armor capability that reduces soldier exposure while expanding battlefield reach in complex terrain.

German defense firm Diehl Defence has unveiled a compact unmanned ground combat vehicle integrating the lightweight tracked Ziesel UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) with a two-round Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile launcher, presenting at Enforce Tac 2026 in Germany. Electrically powered for low acoustic and thermal signatures, the robotic vehicle is designed to move with dismounted infantry through urban streets, forests, and rugged terrain, delivering precision anti-armor fire while keeping operators under cover. 
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German Company Diehl Defence Ziesel's unmanned ground vehicle, armed with a twin Spike LR2 anti-tank missile launcher, was displayed at Enforce Tac 2026, showcasing a compact robotic solution for infantry anti-armor operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Spike LR2 anti-tank missile, with a range of up to 5.5 km depending on the launch profile and featuring fire-and-forget and fire-and-observe modes, gives small units a stand-off strike capability previously limited to larger vehicles. By pairing mobility, remote operation, and a proven missile system, Diehl positions the platform as a force multiplier for modern ground combat operations.

The concept integrates the Mattro-built Ziesel platform into a dedicated anti-tank configuration, transforming what was originally designed as a logistics and support carrier into a lethal remote weapon system. Diehl Defence’s integration of the Israeli-developed Spike LR2 missile positions the vehicle as a high-value ambush and defensive asset tailored for urban, forested, and restrictive environments where traditional armored vehicles struggle to maneuver. The choice of the LR2 variant reflects a deliberate focus on extended engagement range, enhanced penetration performance, and improved digital connectivity compared to earlier Spike generations.

Technically, the Ziesel platform measures approximately 1.6 meters in length and 1.3 meters in width, with a base weight of 380 kilograms. Despite its compact size, it can support a payload exceeding 500 kilograms, enabling it to carry a stabilized launcher module, electro-optical targeting systems, and associated command-and-control equipment. Powered by interchangeable 11 kWh lithium-ion battery packs, the vehicle operates entirely electrically, eliminating engine heat signatures and acoustic noise typically associated with internal combustion systems. This configuration enables a top speed of up to 20 km per hour while preserving a low observable profile during reconnaissance or ambush positioning.

The integration of the Spike LR2 significantly elevates the platform’s lethality. The Spike LR2 is the latest evolution of the long-range member of the Spike missile family, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and produced in Europe through partnerships that include Diehl Defence. It is a fifth-generation electro-optically guided anti-tank missile designed for engaging armored vehicles, fortified positions, and high-value targets. In its ground-launched configuration, the missile offers a maximum range of 5.5 km while maintaining compatibility with existing Spike LR launch units via digital upgrades.

The missile uses a dual-mode seeker combining uncooled infrared imaging and a high-resolution day camera, enabling true fire-and-forget capability and fire-observe-update functionality via a fiber-optic data link. This allows the operator to adjust the aimpoint after launch, switch targets mid-flight, or abort the mission if necessary. The Spike LR2 incorporates an improved tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead capable of defeating modern main battle tank armor protected by explosive reactive armor and advanced composite protection systems. In addition to its primary anti-armor role, the missile can be fitted with a multi-purpose warhead optimized for use against bunkers, urban structures, and light armored vehicles, expanding mission flexibility for infantry units.

When mounted on an unmanned platform, the missile’s full capability can be used without risking exposure of infantry during launch or post-launch tracking. The remote operator can remain under cover while the UGV positions itself forward, designates targets through its onboard electro-optical suite, and conducts engagements from concealed firing points. This configuration enhances survivability for both personnel and the launch system, particularly in environments saturated with counter-sniper, artillery, or drone surveillance threats.

Operationally, the system is tailored for distributed infantry formations operating in contested environments. Its small footprint enables it to accompany troops through dense wooded terrain, narrow urban streets, and restrictive mountain passes where heavier vehicles cannot deploy. The electric propulsion system reduces acoustic and thermal detection risk, improving survivability in counter-reconnaissance scenarios. In defensive operations, multiple units could be prepositioned along likely armored avenues of approach, creating concealed anti-armor kill zones that are controlled remotely from protected positions.

From a doctrinal perspective, this development reflects a broader shift toward robotic combat support systems within NATO forces. Lightweight uncrewed ground vehicles are increasingly viewed as force multipliers that enhance lethality while preserving the workforce. For light infantry, airborne units, and special operations forces lacking organic armored firepower, a robotic missile carrier offers a cost-effective way to counter mechanized threats without deploying heavy anti-tank vehicles.

Industrial implications are equally significant. By combining a commercially developed electric UGV platform with a proven European-produced missile system, Diehl Defence demonstrates a modular approach to ground robotics that could reduce development timelines and procurement costs. The system’s relatively low weight also suggests compatibility with rotary-wing transport, enabling rapid air deployment in expeditionary operations. This could prove attractive for rapid reaction forces seeking scalable anti-armor capability without expanding armored fleet footprints.

Strategically, the emergence of silent robotic anti-tank platforms aligns with lessons drawn from modern conflicts where dispersed units equipped with precision-guided munitions have successfully neutralized armored formations. The integration of advanced missiles onto unmanned carriers reduces casualty risk while complicating the adversary's targeting cycle. For peer adversaries relying on armored maneuver doctrine, such systems introduce new uncertainties in reconnaissance and counter-mobility planning.

Looking ahead, the effectiveness of this platform will depend on its sensor suite integration, secure communications architecture, and resistance to electronic warfare interference. Future iterations could incorporate autonomous navigation, cooperative swarm tactics, and integration into broader battlefield management systems. If adopted at scale, compact missile-armed UGVs like the Diehl configuration may represent an evolutionary step in infantry anti-armor doctrine, shifting the balance between mobility, survivability, and lethality in favor of smaller, networked ground units.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.