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According to Russia, it is using self-developed combat robots in the Ukraine war against US Abrams and German Leopard tanks. Former Russian space chief and current head of the military-technical group “Tsar Wolves”, Dmitry Rogozin, wants to use four “Marker” models, Russian radio Sputnik reports.

Dmitry Rogozin reported on Telegram about a meeting with Yevgeny Dudorov, the head of Magnitogorsk Android Technology, the manufacturer of combat robots. The latter told him that four models were already on their way to the Donbass.

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According to Rogozin, photos of Western main battle tanks should be able to be fed into the robot vehicles. They could recognize and destroy the models on their own. The “Marker” is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that resembles an armored personnel carrier in shape.

Reports from the Russian news agency Ria Novosti showed a three-axle vehicle to which various components can be added. These include a turret with machine guns and anti-tank missiles, as well as a case that can launch drones.

The robot would weigh about three tons. Because it does not have to house soldiers, it can be smaller, lighter and thus more maneuverable. A large on-board gun cannot be seen on the images published so far.

Robots could work together with drones

Developed by Russian high-tech weapons manufacturer Android Technologies, the marker was first presented in 2019. It was said to be capable of self-detecting targets and operating alongside drones.

A year ago it was reported that the development phase was over. News agency Tass wrote that the robot could shoot down enemy drones with electronic pulses. However, the reports on the performance of the Marker tanks have not yet been independently confirmed.

Combat robots also tested in other countries

Russia has already used robots in the Syrian war, apparently with little success. According to media reports, the “Uranium-9” model has had repeated problems. Among other things, the tank still had to be controlled with a remote control, which probably only had a range of 400 meters.

In addition, Russia is said to be working on other main battle tanks under the names Shturm and Soratnik. These will operate on the basis of the existing T-72 tanks – an advantage in terms of maintenance and repairs.

According to a report in the Frankfurter Rundschau, the Netherlands should have moved combat robots to Lithuania for testing purposes as early as October – not far from the Russian border. The autonomous tracked vehicles can be used for logistics purposes as well as for reconnaissance and direct combat. Other NATO troops would also be working on combat robots, says Dr. Frank Sauer of the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich. (t online)