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Denmark Begins Testing THeMIS and MFP-1 Robotic Ground Vehicles for Future Battlefield Roles.
Denmark has launched its first formal military evaluation of unmanned ground vehicles, testing the THeMIS and MFP-1 platforms at an army training site in Slagelse. The trial reflects growing interest among NATO forces in using robotic systems to reduce soldier risk while expanding reconnaissance and logistics capabilities.
The Danish Ministry of Defence has begun hands-on field trials of robotic ground vehicles as part of a broader effort to understand how unmanned systems could support future land operations. According to defense officials, the evaluation brings together four THeMIS platforms produced by Estonia-based Milrem Robotics and four MFP-1 vehicles from UK firm XRC Robotics, with testing overseen by the Service Branch for Combat Troops at Slagelse. The effort marks the first structured attempt by the Danish Armed Forces to assess UGVs under realistic operational conditions.
Denmark has begun its first operational testing of unmanned ground vehicles, evaluating the Estonian-built THeMIS and the UK-developed MFP-1 to understand how robotic systems could support future combat, logistics, and reconnaissance missions (Picture Source: Danish MoD / XRC Robotics)
This marks a strategic step forward for the Danish Army, as it joins a growing number of NATO countries experimenting with autonomous land systems shaped by lessons from the Ukraine conflict. The UGVs will be tested for mission effectiveness in logistics, observation, and combat support functions, under realistic battlefield scenarios. The trial is designed not merely to assess raw technical performance but to determine how robotic platforms can augment dismounted forces, reduce exposure, and streamline supply chains in contested environments.
Milrem’s THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) is the heavier and more combat-capable of the two systems. Designed as an open-architecture multi-role platform, the THeMIS weighs 1,630 kg and is built around a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that enables a top speed of 25 km/h and a maximum range of 200 km. Its primary strength lies in its payload flexibility: the platform supports up to 1,200 kg of mission-specific equipment and can operate with weapon stations, surveillance sensors, communication relays, or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tools.
Built on a rugged rubber-tracked chassis, the THeMIS features a ground clearance of 60 cm and can handle gradients of up to 60 percent and side slopes of 30 percent. Its integrated CAN bus system and STANAG 4586-compliant control interfaces allow rapid integration with third-party systems and C2 platforms. While the Danish Army initially procured the base THeMIS version without armament, the modular design enables quick retrofitting with stabilised remote weapon stations (RWS), loitering munition launchers, or jamming systems. Plans are already in motion to equip one unit with a 7.62 mm machine gun during the second phase of trials.
At the other end of the capability spectrum is the XRC Robotics MFP-1, a lightweight man-portable UGV tailored for short-range ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) tasks. Weighing just 25 kg, the MFP-1 is designed for one-person lift and rapid field deployment. Powered by a high-efficiency electric motor, it achieves speeds of up to 60 km/h and can carry payloads of 35 kg over distances of up to 30 km, making it ideal for tactical scouting and remote observation in urban or constrained environments.
The MFP-1’s modular architecture supports various payload configurations, including EO/IR surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, and lightweight communication modules. Its compact tracked design and low visual-acoustic signature make it suited for forward deployment in contested zones, especially where aerial drones may be compromised by electronic warfare or terrain masking.
Operationally, the contrast between the two UGVs reflects Denmark’s intent to build a layered autonomy model within its land forces. The THeMIS offers endurance and brute logistical power, potentially replacing or supplementing manned transport and casualty evacuation tasks in high-risk zones. In comparison, the MFP-1 provides a lightweight reconnaissance asset that can be deployed rapidly for immediate situational awareness without risking personnel.
Field tests will examine the integration of both platforms into existing command structures, their interoperability with Danish Army communications systems, and their survivability and performance under battlefield stress. Soldiers will lead testing efforts directly, providing feedback from live exercises and simulated operational missions.
The Danish decision to test both a combat UGV and a tactical mini-UGV in parallel demonstrates a sophisticated approach to robotic warfare that reflects broader NATO thinking. Rather than focusing on a single class of unmanned platform, Denmark is exploring a full-spectrum strategy that aligns autonomous assets to the scale and tempo of varied missions, from supply chain augmentation to tactical reconnaissance and force protection.
Both platforms have gained international attention: the THeMIS has been adopted in multiple configurations by armed forces in the U.S., France, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, with several units seeing combat deployment in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the MFP-1 has been fielded by British defense forces in training and field evaluation roles, showcasing its agility and adaptability in modern multi-domain operations.
As Denmark’s UGV trials progress through 2026, the data collected will directly shape future procurement decisions and doctrinal updates. The outcome of these tests may also influence partner nations within NATO, especially those seeking scalable robotic systems to meet hybrid warfare requirements in both conventional and asymmetric theaters.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.