– Robotization of the battlefield is expanding and accelerating.
We see more interesting fresh constructions. At PIAP we effort to keep up with this work, offering, in our opinion, the most modern robots in Europe at this minute – says Newseria Adam Szepczyński, Marketing manager in Łukasiewicz – Industrial Institute of Automation and measurement (PIAP).
Łukasiewicz – PIAP network focuses on autonomous transport, evacuation and combat platforms
Unmanned land robots increasingly support soldiers on the modern battlefield – they aid evacuate wounded, transport ammunition, but besides equipped with armed modules execute combat functions. Poland besides develops its own systems. The Łukasiewicz – PIAP network focuses on autonomous transport, evacuation and combat platforms, which are to compete with the best solutions in the world.
Modern armies have long utilized robots primarily in bomb operations, reconnaissance and logistics tasks. An example is the US PackBots or TALONs, which in conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan took over dangerous IED removal missions (Improvised Explosive Device), i.e. bomb traps hidden by roads or vehicles. An example of modern usage is the TheMIS platform of the Estonian company Milrem Robotics, which serves in Ukraine as a transport and evacuation vehicle, and will now besides be fire support thanks to the installation of a remote-controlled weaponry module of Ukrainian production.
The Polish investigation institute fits into the global trend, developing its own structures for years
Unmanned land vehicles so cease to be only a support tool and become a real part of combat activities. The Polish investigation institute fits into this global trend, developing its own structures for years.
– We have strict robots aimed at pyrotechnics, tactical units, for pyrotechnics or mineral-pyrotechnical subdivisions, depending on what we separate in engineering troops. We besides have an offer of tactical robots to be utilized by peculiar forces. Another subject that we have been trying to make for good three-four years is large combat robots, light infantry support robots, evacuation robots, but besides armed robots," says Adam Szepczyński.
PIAP huntsman is the largest European combat robot remotely controlled
The latest device designed and manufactured in Łukasiewicz – PIAP is the PIAP huntsman combat robot. It is an unmanned land vehicle utilized to observe and patrol borders, military or urban areas, and to support fire and shield military columns mechanized or light infantry during defensive action. PIAP huntsman is the largest remote-controlled European combat robot. The vehicle with a mass of 4 t and dimensions of 470 × 220 cm shall be driven by 2 electrical motors which let it to scope a velocity of up to 50 km/h. Thanks to the usage of 8 HD and LIDAR cameras, it gives the anticipation to full observe the environment and to map the terrain accurately. At this year's MSPO Fair in Kielce, PIAP presented huntsman with a remotely controlled turret armed with a 12.7 mm WLKM multi-barrel device gun, developed by the Tarnów Mechanical Plant (Polish Armed Forces Group). The vehicle is besides equipped with an optoelectronic head and radar that allows automatic tracking and capture of air and land targets. The modular plan allows easy integration with another defence systems, importantly strengthening the protection of strategical objects and safety in the battlefield.
– Very interesting task of integration of the kinetic strategy to combat unmanned aircraft from Tarnow, i.e. multi-barrel device gun, plus inactive optoelectronics from PCO make an interesting fresh thought for the usage of land unmanned vehicles to combat aircraft unmanned vehicles – explained the typical of Łukasiewicz – PIAP.
There is simply a good chance that we will be invited by the EDA to another part of OPEX exercise
Another PIAP robot is IBIS, designed for pyrotechnic activities and reconnaissance. After installing additional accessories, it can besides be utilized to neutralise dangerous loads, chemical designation or rescue operations in hazardous locations. Both robots were late tested in Italy as part of the HEDI OPEX 2025 experimental campaign, organized by the European Defence Agency (EDA).
– There is simply a good chance that we will be invited by the EDA to another part of the OPEX exercise, which will yet present the consequence of our investigation in terms of the usage of a combat robot, or armed robot. So far, we've been able to set up huntsman and install systems from the WB Group, AREX and we've been able to check the usage of a remote-controlled weapon module with 12.7. We were shooting out of this ZMU and the results were top-notch. Now we are beginning up to cooperation with the Polish Armed Forces Group – says the Head of Marketing in Łukasiewicz – PIAP.
PIAP is open to participate in the process of creating Polish solutions
During the MSPO 2025 investigation Network Łukasiewicz and the Polish Armed Forces Group signed a strategical partnership agreement aimed at intensifying cooperation in investigation and improvement and the transfer of modern technologies to the Polish defence industry. Joint actions will include the improvement of autonomous land, sea and air platforms.
– PIAP is open to participate in the process of creating Polish solutions. We besides observe solutions produced by competing companies, but besides by our friends, from WB or military institutes. We are hoping that we will be able to make a common solution that will as much as possible correspond to the real request of fresh types of armed forces, fresh unmanned forces – says Adam Szepczyński.
