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Ukraine Teams with Estonia’s Milrem to Mount “Burya” Turret on THeMIS Drone for Long-Range Grenade Strikes
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian defense tech company Frontline, in partnership with Estonian robotics manufacturer Milrem Robotics, has successfully integrated the “Burya” grenade launcher turret onto the tracked THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle.
Frontline told Militarnyi on August 12 that the integration’s effectiveness was confirmed during live-fire trials in Ukraine.
The “Burya” robotic turret, designed for a 40 mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher and mounted on the THeMIS platform, demonstrated stable performance and precise target engagement at ranges exceeding 1,100 meters.
In the coming weeks, engineers plan to conduct a series of additional tests aimed at validating the system’s combat readiness and assessing its reliability across different operational scenarios. The next phase will involve incorporating the system into active mission planning processes and tailoring its capabilities to specific battlefield requirements for further scaling.
The THeMIS ground drone became the first in its class to be deployed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for combat missions.
The “Burya” robotic grenade launcher turret has been in service with Ukrainian military units since January 2025 and is produced in serial quantities. It has already been integrated into combat support units through a specially designed training program to ensure the system’s effective deployment on the front line.
Frontline emphasized that the successful integration of its turret with Milrem Robotics’ ground drone is also significant as it demonstrates another example of cooperation between Ukrainian and European military technology producers.
According to the company, the “Burya” turret enables more efficient grenade launcher calibration compared to a standard tripod, while allowing operators to quickly switch targets within seconds on command.
The system is controlled remotely via a console or laptop. To engage a target, the operator simply selects a point on the map or enters the coordinates.
Earlier, Ukrainian forces merged the chassis of a 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer with a T-72B tank turret, producing a hybrid armored vehicle tailored to the demands of the modern battlefield.
