Europe Debuts Milrem AI-Driven Robotic Vehicle with MBDA Akeron Long-Range Precision Missile

In a major leap for European defense innovation, Milrem Robotics has successfully integrated the MBDA Akeron LP long-range missile system onto its Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), creating a highly advanced unmanned ground combat system capable of autonomous precision strikes beyond visual range. The milestone demonstration, conducted under the EU-funded MARSEUS project, marks a significant step toward fielding robotic systems equipped with indigenous European weaponry and intelligence capabilities.

The breakthrough was announced on July 1, 2025, as part of the European Defence Fund-backed MARSEUS (Modular Architecture Solution for EU States) initiative. The event showcased not just the powerful combination of the Estonian-made Type-X combat platform and the French-developed Akeron LP missile, but also the integration of the RFHunter electronic warfare suite from Cyprus-based SignalGeneriX, which enables the vehicle to operate with full electromagnetic awareness even in GPS- or communication-contested environments.

What Makes This Robotic System Special?

At the heart of the demonstration lies the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle, a hybrid-electric, fully unmanned tracked vehicle designed to support mechanized units in high-risk missions. Weighing about 12.5 tons, it can carry up to 5 tons of payload and reach speeds up to 80 km/h. It’s optimized for flanking attacks, scouting, and direct engagement—all while keeping soldiers safely out of harm’s way. The vehicle is equipped to handle steep slopes, deep water fording, and urban combat with zero turning radius, thanks to its advanced cross-drive transmission. It also offers STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection against projectiles and Level 1 mine resistance.

Akeron LP Missile: Precision from Afar

The Akeron LP (Longue Portée) missile system is a new-generation long-range missile developed by MBDA France. Designed for use on helicopters, ground vehicles, and naval platforms, it features a multi-mode guidance seeker with semi-active laser, thermal imaging, and TV sensors. The missile has a range of over 8 km from land platforms and up to 20 km when launched from air. Its tandem-charge warhead can pierce more than 1,000 mm of armor and 2 meters of reinforced concrete, making it suitable for defeating heavily fortified targets. Its fire-and-forget and fire-with-retargeting capabilities allow operators to remain at a safe distance or adjust strikes mid-flight.

RFHunter: Stealthy Intelligence and Targeting

Adding an edge to this strike platform is the RFHunter Direction Finder, a passive electronic warfare system that listens to enemy signals without emitting detectable energy. Developed by SignalGeneriX, it allows the robotic vehicle to detect, classify, and geolocate hostile emitters—essential for targeting in GPS-denied or contested environments. It not only boosts survivability but also enables cooperative targeting using external drones or sensors for enhanced situational awareness.

Why It Matters: European Strategic Autonomy

This project is part of MARSEUS, a €27.3 million pan-European defense program led by MBDA France and supported by 15 companies from France, Belgium, Sweden, and Cyprus. It aims to build modular, interoperable, and autonomous land-based strike systems fully controlled by EU member states. By relying entirely on European technologies and avoiding non-EU suppliers, the initiative supports the EU’s goal of achieving strategic autonomy in critical defense technologies.

The MARSEUS program is a direct continuation of the earlier LynkEUs project under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), which laid the groundwork for BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) capabilities. It has evolved to include human-in-the-loop and human-on-the-loop decision-making, allowing for varying degrees of autonomy in targeting and engagement. Demonstrations since 2022 have also included manned-unmanned teaming with platforms like the Arquus Sherpa and drone coordination with systems like Novadem’s NX70 UAVs.

What’s Next?

The robotic system will continue to undergo rigorous testing through 2025, with upcoming phases involving loitering munitions, joint doctrine development, and the creation of a user community to align operational strategies across EU forces. This robotic vehicle isn’t just a proof of concept—it’s a foundational building block for next-generation European land warfare.

In essence, Europe’s integration of the Akeron LP missile onto the unmanned Type-X vehicle marks the dawn of a new era in which robotic ground forces will strike targets beyond the line of sight, operate undetected in hostile terrain, and execute missions with minimal human intervention—safely, intelligently, and independently.