EXCLUSIVE: French army highlights growing role of UGVs for autonomous combat and logistics.

The French Army is accelerating the development and integration of robotic systems for modern ground combat with the unveiling of the AUROCHS 4x4 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), equipped with a FN DEFNDER® Medium Remote Weapon Station from Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal, armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. This robust platform is designed for high-intensity operations and offers a blend of firepower, mobility, and autonomy aligned with the evolving needs of future battlefields.
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A French officer from the STAT (Technical Section of the French army) presents the AUROCHS UGV armed robotic platform to international military delegations during a live demonstration. (Picture source: French STAT)

Developed by the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL) in close collaboration with the French Army Staff (EMAT) and the German Bundeswehr Planning Office (PlgABw), AUROCHS showcases a series of technological advances. A standout feature is its unique ability to navigate without relying on satellite-based systems such as GPS or Galileo. Instead, it employs a proprietary image-based navigation system that uses an onboard database of visuals combined with real-time input from onboard cameras, allowing for autonomous and precise route tracking even under conditions of signal jamming.

Fully interoperable with the Scorpion Information and Combat System (SICS), AUROCHS can be seamlessly integrated into digital battlefield networks. It is capable of obstacle avoidance without manual control and demonstrates superior off-road capabilities thanks to its advanced suspension, electrically driven independent wheels, and selectable single or dual steerable axles. These features provide it with exceptional agility, maneuverability, and all-terrain endurance.

The UGV is not limited to combat support roles. Designed with multi-mission versatility in mind, it can transport up to two logistics pallets or be adapted for medical evacuation with a stretcher, capitalizing on its suspended chassis to enhance patient comfort during transit. These features make AUROCHS an ideal robotic mule for external operations where autonomous logistics and casualty evacuation are critical.

Mounted on the AUROCHS is the FN DEFNDER® Medium Remote Weapon Station, a battle-proven solution from FN Herstal that significantly enhances the firepower and survivability of unmanned systems. Designed to accommodate a range of weapon calibers up to 12.7mm, the DEFNDER® Medium offers high-precision engagement while allowing the operator to remain safely protected at a distance. Its fully stabilized platform and integrated optronics suite provide day and night targeting capabilities, automatic target tracking, and firing on the move, all of which are critical when mounted on mobile robotic platforms.

Equipping UGVs like AUROCHS with a system such as the DEFNDER® Medium transforms the role of unmanned vehicles from purely logistical or reconnaissance assets into fully combat-capable platforms. It allows for remote engagement of enemy positions, defensive perimeter control, convoy escort duties, and fire support for infantry units, without placing human operators at risk. The combination of remote lethality and unmanned mobility is especially valuable in contested areas where traditional manned platforms face high exposure to ambush, mines, or improvised explosive devices.

The increasing use of UGVs such as AUROCHS reflects a broader transformation in modern land warfare, where unmanned systems are becoming essential force multipliers. For land forces operating in complex environments, UGVs provide critical advantages by enhancing operational tempo, reducing risk to personnel, and extending the reach of dismounted units. Whether performing resupply under fire, conducting reconnaissance in denied areas, providing suppressive fire from protected positions, or executing casualty evacuations, UGVs reduce exposure and preserve combat power.

In the future, robotic platforms like AUROCHS are expected to play a central role in hybrid manned-unmanned teams, where they operate in tandem with infantry units, armored vehicles, and aerial drones to deliver coordinated effects on the battlefield. Their ability to integrate seamlessly into tactical networks and operate autonomously opens the door to more adaptive and resilient combat formations. As doctrines evolve and the demand for faster, safer, and more flexible ground capabilities increases, UGVs will likely become indispensable tools across conventional, asymmetric, and urban warfare scenarios.

AUROCHS stands at the forefront of this evolution, embodying the strategic vision of a next-generation robotic asset ready to transform how modern armies project force, sustain operations, and protect soldiers in the most demanding combat environments. The integration of the FN DEFNDER® Medium RWS ensures that it is not only a logistics or support tool, but a potent and autonomous combat platform built for the realities of future warfare.