Germany’s largest defence contractor, Rheinmetall, has signed a letter of intent to partner with a Croatian company to build remote-controlled military vehicles, Rheinmetall announced on Tuesday.
The partner is the technology company DOK-ING, which is based in Zagreb and already develops and sells robotic systems, including mine-clearance vehicles.
Approval by the authorities is still pending, according to Rheinmetall.
DOK-ING’s name comes for the Croatian words for documentation and engineering. The company’s slogan is, “Don’t send a man to do the job of a machine.”
An existing vehicle from this company is now to be technically upgraded and modified, but it will not be armed.
Rheinmetall already has a self-driving vehicle in its product portfolio, the Mission Master, a wheeled vehicle for escorting and supporting infantry.
The new joint venture, on the other hand, will focus on larger tracked vehicles that accompany tanks.
Vehicles envisioned by the joint venture will be able to lay or clear mines, for example, or transport ammunition.
Rheinmetall intends to contribute the reconnaissance sensors and other components to the new vehicle to be manufactured by the joint venture. It will also help with sales.
The European market and other partner countries are being addressed, said Rheinmetall manager Björn Bernhard.
Vjekoslav Majetić, chief executive of DOK-ING, said the two companies have “technological and industrial synergies” that offer “a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and combat support systems in Europe.”
The signing of the letter of intent for the joint venture took place on Monday at the Croatian Embassy in Berlin, where Croatian Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić was also present.
