Germany Tests SPIKE LR Missile on Ziesel Robot for NATO Anti-Tank Warfare.

German company Diehl Defence has successfully completed live-fire trials of the SPIKE LR anti-tank guided missile from its Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle, marking the first known successful launch of a modern guided missile from the company’s compact tracked robotic combat platform. Conducted with Israel’s RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH, the tests demonstrated that the lightweight Ziesel vehicle can withstand the recoil and structural stress of repeated missile launches while delivering precision anti-armor firepower remotely.

The firing campaign, announced by Diehl Defence on May 15, 2026, confirms the Ziesel’s evolution from a lightweight unmanned support vehicle into a combat-capable robotic anti-tank system designed for high-risk battlefield operations. By combining autonomous mobility with long-range precision-strike capability, the platform reflects the growing shift toward unmanned ground systems that can extend firepower, improve survivability, and reduce soldier exposure in future land warfare.

Related Topic: Germany Reveals Ziesel Unmanned Anti-Tank Vehicle Equipped with Spike LR2 Missiles

Diehl Defence’s Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle armed with SPIKE LR anti-tank guided missiles is displayed during Enforce Tac 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, where the robotic combat system was unveiled ahead of successful live-fire trials conducted with RAFAEL and EuroSpike GmbH. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The firing campaign primarily evaluated the structural integrity and operational reliability of the Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle under realistic combat conditions. Unlike larger unmanned combat systems designed primarily for logistics or reconnaissance, the Ziesel is a compact tracked robotic vehicle optimized for mobility in difficult terrain while carrying modular mission payloads. Integrating a guided missile launcher onto such a lightweight chassis presents significant engineering challenges, particularly regarding recoil absorption, stabilization, electronic integration, and firing accuracy.

According to Diehl Defence, the vehicle maintained full operational performance throughout the firing sequence, demonstrating that the chassis, suspension, and onboard systems could withstand repeated missile launches without degradation. This capability is particularly important because small unmanned ground vehicles often face limitations when integrating heavy weapon systems due to weight distribution and shock resistance constraints.

The SPIKE LR missile integrated onto the Ziesel is one of the most combat-proven anti-tank guided missiles currently in service with NATO and allied armed forces. Developed by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems, the missile provides a range of up to 5.5 kilometers depending on launch configuration and uses electro-optical guidance combined with fire-and-forget and fire-observe-update engagement modes. Equipped with advanced all-weather optronic sensors, the missile can engage heavily armored targets, fortified positions, and moving vehicles with high precision.

By combining SPIKE LR with an unmanned ground combat vehicle, the system creates a distributed anti-armor capability that can operate forward of manned formations. This allows armed forces to deploy anti-tank firepower into contested zones while minimizing risks to infantry units. Such concepts are increasingly relevant in modern combat environments shaped by extensive drone warfare, persistent surveillance, artillery dominance, and high attrition rates among exposed ground forces.

The Ziesel itself represents an evolving family of unmanned ground systems under development by Diehl Defence. Originally conceived as a versatile robotic support vehicle, the tracked system has already been tested in logistics, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), and reconnaissance configurations. The latest variant transforms the vehicle into an armed effector carrier capable of directly participating in combat operations rather than merely supporting frontline units.

The system is further enhanced through Diehl Defence’s PLATON autonomy kit, which enables autonomous navigation, route planning, and mission execution. This autonomy architecture is intended to reduce operator workload while allowing coordinated robotic operations alongside manned formations. Such manned-unmanned teaming concepts are becoming a major focus area for NATO armies seeking to offset personnel shortages and improve battlefield survivability.

The operational implications of integrating SPIKE LR onto the Ziesel are significant. Lightweight robotic missile carriers could be deployed in urban areas, forested terrain, or exposed forward positions where conventional anti-tank teams would face elevated risks from artillery, drones, and sniper fire. The compact dimensions of the Ziesel also improve concealment and mobility compared to larger armored fighting vehicles carrying equivalent missile systems.

The successful trials also underline Germany’s growing emphasis on unmanned land warfare technologies as European militaries adapt lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Robotic systems have proven increasingly valuable for reconnaissance, logistics, casualty evacuation, and strike missions in heavily contested battlespaces where electronic warfare and drone threats dominate tactical operations. Diehl Defence confirmed that the Ziesel is already undergoing testing with several armed forces, including Germany and Ukraine, indicating growing international interest in the system’s operational potential.

For EuroSpike GmbH and RAFAEL, the successful integration expands the deployment possibilities of the SPIKE missile family beyond traditional infantry launchers, armored vehicles, and helicopters. The emergence of unmanned missile carriers could significantly alter anti-tank doctrine by enabling dispersed and highly survivable kill networks capable of ambushing armored formations from multiple remote-controlled positions.

The rapid progress from prototype display to successful live-fire validation also reflects intensifying competition within the European defense industry to field operational robotic combat systems before the end of the decade. Numerous European companies are now pursuing armed unmanned ground vehicle programs, but few have demonstrated repeated live missile launches from lightweight robotic vehicles under realistic operational conditions.

Diehl Defence stated that the next development milestones are already underway, with additional demonstrations planned for representatives from multiple armed forces. These future demonstrations are expected to focus not only on missile firing capability but also on autonomous operation, tactical integration, and cooperative missions involving both manned and unmanned combat systems. The successful SPIKE LR firing campaign positions the Ziesel as one of the most mature European robotic anti-tank systems currently under development and reinforces the broader shift toward autonomous precision firepower on future battlefields.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.