The German Army's share of the EUR100 million (USD109 million) Zeitenwende special fund, approved after Russia invaded Ukraine, focuses on armoured vehicles, learnt at Defence iQ's International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2023 conference held i.
The Answer To Australia s National Security Needs? Robot Tanks
“Greater reliance on autonomous systems and unmanned platforms makes a great deal of sense, given the small size of our military,” says Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Key Point: Australia is getting into robot military vehicles.
It is joining a host of nations that are developing or have even deployed armed autonomous patrol vehicles, robot trucks and even remote-controlled tanks. The club includes the United States, Russia, China, Israel and various European nations.
But of them all, robotic combat vehicles may make the most sense for Australia.
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Soldiers taking part in Exercise Diamond Walk at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area say a new vehicle is a âsignificant leap forwardâ for the Australian Army.
The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle was used by A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) during the 7th Combat Brigade-led training exercise.
Trooper Harrison Dietrich has trained as a gunner on the Boxer CRV and said crews adapted well to the new capability.
âWe have just conducted a battle run with the hatches down, which has been a first for the troops,â he said.
âIt was a case of walking through the complexities of a hatch down environment. Itâs also been about adapting and trying to work out the best way to employ the Boxer.â