DSEI 2025: Milrem Themis UGV Armed With Saab RBS 70 NG Reshapes Battlefield Air Defense Options.

During DSEI UK 2025, Saab and Milrem Robotics unveiled a striking integration: the RBS 70 NG Mobile Fire Unit mounted on the Themis unmanned ground vehicle. The demonstration reflects how ground-based air defense systems are adapting to modern warfare, where autonomy and mobility are decisive. By combining Saab’s well-established missile technology with Milrem’s modular robotic platform, the two companies present a capability designed to meet evolving threats on contested battlefields. The concept is not just a technical showcase but a vision of how short-range air defense may be deployed in the near future.
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The integration of Saab’s RBS 70 NG Mobile Fire Unit on Milrem’s Themis UGV represents more than a technological experiment; it embodies the next stage of ground-based air defense (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The RBS 70 NG is the latest evolution of Saab’s man-portable short-range air defense system, now adapted for mobile use. It features an uncooled high-resolution thermal imager, improved sighting system, and automatic target tracking, ensuring fast lock-on and high accuracy. With a range exceeding 9 km and the ability to engage targets up to 5,000 meters in altitude, it is optimized against helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. Mounted on the Milrem Themis UGV, the system gains a new level of flexibility. The Themis, a tracked unmanned vehicle, is a modular platform capable of carrying various payloads up to 1,200 kg, with hybrid diesel-electric propulsion allowing silent mobility for reconnaissance and combat missions. Its open architecture enables quick integration of new weapon systems, making it an ideal carrier for Saab’s missile launchers.

The RBS 70 family has already established itself through decades of operational use worldwide. First introduced in the 1970s, it has undergone successive upgrades to keep pace with aerial threats, with the NG version representing the most advanced iteration. The Themis UGV, meanwhile, has been widely tested in NATO exercises and deployed for logistics and support missions in conflict zones. Their pairing marks the convergence of a proven missile lineage with a new generation of robotic warfare technology. This combination echoes historical efforts such as the U.S. experiments with the M163 Vulcan Air Defense System on unmanned platforms, though the present solution benefits from far more advanced autonomy, precision, and networking capabilities.

The advantages of this integration lie primarily in survivability and adaptability. Unlike manned short-range air defense systems, the unmanned Themis-based unit can be positioned in exposed areas without endangering operators, while still delivering accurate fire. Compared to stationary launchers, its mobility allows it to shadow maneuver units, offering cover against low-flying threats. Unlike larger self-propelled anti-aircraft guns such as the German Gepard, the Themis with RBS 70 NG is smaller, easier to deploy, and more cost-efficient while still effective in countering UAV swarms or helicopter incursions.

Strategically, the unveiling comes at a time when drone warfare is reshaping defense priorities. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has shown the vulnerability of unprotected units to loitering munitions and quadcopters, while conflicts in the Middle East underline the need for mobile air defense against drones and cruise missiles. By placing advanced missiles on an unmanned carrier, Saab and Milrem are offering a solution that not only strengthens force protection but also signals a shift towards dispersed, resilient air defense networks. Such systems could be especially attractive to smaller NATO members seeking scalable and affordable defense options, as well as countries exposed to UAV-heavy threats.

The integration of Saab’s RBS 70 NG Mobile Fire Unit on Milrem’s Themis UGV represents more than a technological experiment; it embodies the next stage of ground-based air defense. By merging autonomy, mobility, and proven missile precision, this solution offers armed forces a versatile tool against emerging aerial threats. Its relevance lies not only in its battlefield efficiency but also in its reflection of a broader transformation in modern warfare, where the unmanned and the networked are increasingly inseparable.

Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.