NUREMBERG, February 24, 2026 : Diehl Defence is presenting its upgraded Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) equipped with the proprietary PLATON autonomy kit at Enforce Tac 2026, taking place from February 23 to 25 in Nuremberg. The system is being exhibited alongside the company’s ground-based air defence and counter-drone solutions, reflecting ongoing development in unmanned ground support systems for military operations.
The Ziesel UGV on display is based on the platform originally developed by the Austrian manufacturer Mattro. Diehl Defence has integrated upgraded control systems and enhanced mobility features designed to improve performance in difficult off-road environments.
Platform Specifications and Configuration
The vehicle measures 1.6 metres in length and 1.3 metres in width. It has a dead weight of 380 kilograms and supports a payload capacity of more than 500 kilograms. The compact dimensions are intended to enable operation in confined and compartmented terrain, including dense woodland and narrow village structures, while maintaining compatibility with infantry manoeuvre formations.
The Ziesel is powered by a fully electric propulsion system using interchangeable 11 kWh lithium-ion battery packs. The electric configuration enables low acoustic signature operation, as it produces no conventional engine noise. The vehicle can reach a maximum speed of up to 20 kilometres per hour.
Operational Roles
Although presented within the defence systems portfolio, the Ziesel is configured as a support platform rather than a direct-fire weapon system. Its primary operational applications focus on logistics and infantry assistance.
In logistics roles, the vehicle transports ammunition, weapon systems, water supplies and other heavy equipment across rough terrain, reducing the physical load on dismounted personnel. For casualty evacuation, it is designed to transport injured soldiers from operational areas, limiting the exposure of additional troops during extraction procedures.
The vehicle is capable of manoeuvring alongside soldiers in restrictive terrain without obstructing troop movement. Its size and mobility allow it to navigate areas inaccessible to larger transport vehicles.
PLATON Autonomy Kit
The autonomous functions are enabled by Diehl Defence’s PLATON autonomy kit, a modular hardware and software solution developed in-house. A defining feature of the system is its passive navigation capability.
In “follow-me” and “mule” modes, PLATON operates without active sensors such as LiDAR or GPS. Instead, it relies on passive visual inputs, including stereo camera systems. This configuration avoids emitting detectable signals and allows operation in GPS-denied or electronically jammed environments.
The software enables the vehicle to autonomously transport equipment while identifying and managing physical obstacles. It can avoid obstacles such as trees or traverse them where terrain conditions permit. The system also supports waypoint navigation and the ability to learn and autonomously repeat predefined patrol or transport routes.
Modular Integration Across Platforms
Diehl Defence has designed PLATON as a scalable autonomy architecture that is not restricted to the Ziesel platform. The kit can be integrated into both unmanned and manned military vehicles.
Current and planned integrations include the Milrem Robotics THeMIS UGV, the Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles HX2, and the Patria AMV and Patria 6×6 platforms. Further integration into larger military transport vehicles is scheduled during 2026.
According to company information released at the exhibition, the combination of the Ziesel platform and the PLATON kit provides a unified hardware and software solution. Additional hardware adaptations and expanded autonomy functionalities are under development.
Testing and Evaluation
The Ziesel equipped with the PLATON system is undergoing field testing with multiple armed forces. Evaluations are being conducted by the German Bundeswehr and Ukrainian armed forces.
In Ukraine, the system has been tested under combat conditions to gather operational feedback from personnel using robotic systems in active conflict environments. Trials have also been carried out in high-altitude, snow-covered terrain in Austria to assess sensor interaction and mobility performance under extreme weather conditions.
All specifications, integrations and operational roles described were presented by Diehl Defence in exhibition materials and official statements dated February 24, 2026, during Enforce Tac in Nuremberg.
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