PARIS — Eurosatory 2026 took place in Paris, featuring more than a dozen unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) systems on display, with at least 50 UGV manufacturers attending. Over 40 Ukrainian manufacturers participated in the event.

Federico Borsari, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said, "Ukraine leads in this space because it has an invaluable three years of battlefield testing and experimentation, which in turn have enabled the development of robust tactics and dedicated organizational structures, like new units, to employ UGVs." Ivan Sybyriakov, a senior manager of the Unmanned Systems Center at SPETS Techno Export, said, "The kill-zone in Ukraine can be anywhere between 15 and 50 kilometers [nine to 30 miles] in some areas — people, tanks, etc. Nothing can operate and or has a high survival chance there; that's why we rely on UGVs so much."

Ukroboronprom displayed the Ravlyk UMP-3 UGV, which is armed with Ukrainian-made anti-tank guided missiles and has been used by frontline units for nearly two years. The Ravlyk UMP-3 is capable of carrying loads up to 441 pounds. Italy's IDV debuted the CL2X UGV, which is armed with Leonardo's Hitfist 30 unmanned medium-caliber turret designed to fire 30mm air-burst ammunition at a rate of over 150 rounds per minute. Leonardo acquired IDV, formerly Iveco Defense Vehicles, in March.

UK-based VisionWave showcased its Varan UGV, engineered to operate in GPS-denied and jammed conditions using passive interception for navigation, including cameras, thermal imaging, and 3D vision. AM General displayed an unnamed UGV, and General Dynamics European Land Systems presented the Bullfrog UGV. Several manufacturers at Eurosatory 2026 indicated their vehicles use Starlink as a primary communication system.

During NATO's Crystal Arrow exercise in Latvia last month, operators reported that Starlink-equipped UGVs experienced blocked line of sight and signal in dense forested areas. Borsari said, "It's fair to say the UGV segment is rapidly growing, but the offer clearly exceeds demand currently, where there's a gap between what the industry proposes and the demand from forces." He added, "Their integration in meaningful numbers by militaries is not there yet, beyond Ukraine."