UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES ON OPERATION BARKHANE IN MALI Captain Taavi Karotamm Staff Officer of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
E
stonian infantry platoons serving in the French-led Operation Barkhane in Mali have tested the unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS and tried its various uses in military operations. THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) was developed by Milrem Robotics, an Estonian defence industry company. Lieutenant Taavi Eesalu, the commander of the infantry platoon Estpla-32, who used the UGV in Mali, estimates that an unmanned ground vehicle of this size and capability can support an armoured infantry platoon in several ways. In his own experience, using the device on operations provides additional capability, which in some situations may be critical to the platoon.
HARSH CONDITIONS The testing of THeMIS in Mali began in May 2019. For the first months, the system was used at a military base near Gao city to carry out various logistical tasks. Simultaneously, various tests were carried to to evaluate wear and durability of the machine in harsh conditions of Mali, while at the same time pursuing product development by adapting the machine’s design and components to hot and dusty conditions. Mali’s environment differs from Estonia in particular due to its high temperature, high amount of dust, and sharp volcanic rocks. Initial testing of the machine showed that it successfully withstands the described conditions, as well possible attacks. The machine was at the heart of a terrorist attack on July 22, only a couple of metres away from the suicide vehicle, with the explosion having direct impact on the system.
41
