Ukrainian firm DevDroid has partnered with Norway’s Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace to push armed ground drones out to fight in the battlefield.
A new memorandum of understanding will pair DevDroid’s combat-proven unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with advanced weapon systems developed by the Norwegian firm.
The effort is expected to lay the groundwork for armed robotic platforms designed for frontline operations.
According to Kongsberg Chief Executive Eirik Lie, the integration effort is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities in high-intensity combat.
“I think it’s a good match, and it is one example of how we can join forces with other countries, with Ukrainian industry, to create perhaps something unique,” Lie told Kyiv Independent.
DevDroid CEO Yurii Poritskyi said the partnership will also help the company expand its expertise and could lead to the development of new robotic systems.
“For us, this partnership is not only about technology but also about creating a new model of international defense cooperation, where Ukrainian innovations become part of the global security ecosystem,” Poritskyi explained.
Complementary Strengths
Kongsberg supplies a range of weapon systems to NATO members, including the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), developed jointly with Raytheon.
It also manufactures the Protector remote weapon station, allowing troops to operate small- and medium-caliber weapons under armor without exposing themselves to enemy fire.
DevDroid’s UGVs are designed to hold positions, engage targets, and carry out sabotage missions.
Its Zmiy Droid 12.7 mounts a 12.7mm machine gun and uses an AI-powered control system capable of autonomously tracking and engaging targets.
Although the companies did not disclose the specific weapons or platforms involved, the integration is expected to deliver more heavily armed and capable robotic systems for Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces.
