German defense giant Rheinmetall has launched Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles, a joint venture with Croatian autonomous systems developer DOK-ING, as part of an effort to expand Europe’s ground drone industry.
The partnership combines DOK-ING’s more than three decades of expertise in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with Rheinmetall’s manufacturing capabilities, integration, and global market reach.
The venture will develop modular platforms for combat support, combat engineering, minehunting, transport, and other high-risk military missions based on DOK-ING’s proprietary Komodo modular hybrid platform.
Rheinmetall said the collaboration will also integrate Croatian industry into the German firm’s European and global programs while supporting technology transfer, local manufacturing, and exports.
Growing a European UGV Base
The announcement follows Rheinmetall’s acquisition of a 51 percent stake in DOK-ING last March, with founder Vjekoslav Majetić retaining the remaining 49 percent.
“We aim to build a broad industrial partnership with Croatia that will include local suppliers, the shipbuilding industry, research institutions, and academia,” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated.
“Croatia has the expertise, industrial tradition, and talented people required to become a manufacturing and development hub for advanced defense technologies.”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković added that the venture marks “a new chapter in the development of Croatia’s defense industry” and confirmed key research and development activities will remain in the country, including a planned center of competence for UGVs and other autonomous systems.
“This will enable Croatian engineers, experts, and researchers to play an active role in developing the cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of defence and security,” Plenković said.
