Ukraine’s Ground Forces have deployed a new autonomy kit that can convert the US-built High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles into unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
Called “Kaban,” the bolt-on solution installs without modifying the vehicle’s original structure, allowing operators to seamlessly switch between remote and manual driving, according to local Ukrainian media.
The technology leverages Starlink for primary satellite communication, backed by analog video and radio links.
Controllers navigate roads using a digital map with manual correction for GPS spoofing and an automatic emergency stop if the connection drops.
Kaban developer Drone Fight Group noted that the technology can also accommodate optional thermal cameras, searchlights, two-way audio, and unmanned aerial system launch mechanisms to match changing operational functions.
Promoting Troop Confidence
The Kaban is undergoing further development through Kyiv’s Brave1 defense technology cluster, intending to expand the military’s autonomous assets for transport, frontline replenishment, and casualty evacuations without risking personnel across active zones.
As the improvement continues, the ground drone technology is now being fielded by the 3rd Army Corps, the 429th Achilles Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, and the 49th Brigade.
“Our goal is not simply to make a vehicle drive remotely,” UNITED24Media quoted a Kaban developer as saying.
“We are building a system that gives an operator enough information and control to confidently perform real missions from a safer location.”
The rollout highlights the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ increasing reliance on ground robots since Russia’s invasion in 2022, with frontline units adopting over 100,000 UGVs in 2026 alone.
