Ottawa—General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Ukrainian manufacturer, Ratel Robotics, to explore the co-production of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in support of Ukraine.
Under the MOU, the companies have established a framework for collaboration focused on Ukrainian-designed UGVs. The intent is to bring together Ratel Robotics’ experience developing and deploying UGVs with General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s manufacturing and vetronics (vehicle electronics) capabilities, applying Canadian industrial expertise in support of Ukraine’s mission and production requirements.
UGVs are increasingly being adopted to undertake dangerous and repetitive tasks on the battlefield, ranging from logistics support to casualty evacuation. Their growing role highlights how autonomous and remotely operated technologies are reshaping modern military operations.
"Unmanned ground vehicles are playing increasingly important roles in modern operations, particularly in environments where reducing risk to personnel is critical," said Joel Houde, Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. "Ukraine has demonstrated how rapidly these technologies can evolve in response to operational requirements. Through this agreement, we are exploring how Canadian manufacturing and systems integration expertise can support the production of proven Ukrainian capabilities."
General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada is a global leader in advanced communications, sonar systems, anti-submarine warfare and emerging autonomous technologies, delivering advanced mission system solutions to Canadian and international customers. The company is one of the largest Canadian defence organizations and a world-class systems integrator and manufacturer for sea, air, land and cyber operations.
Noah Note: This agreement is not technically new. It was signed a while ago, but GDMSC held off on putting it out there. Ratel is one of the more prominent names in the Ukrainian UGV ecosystem; I’m sure more than a handful of you have heard of them. Their specialty is medium- and heavy-class UGVs, specifically their M, H, and X models.
The four-wheeled Ratel M is the company’s primary medium-class platform, with a weight of 885 kg empty, a payload capacity of roughly 400 kg at 8 km/h, and the ability to operate at ranges exceeding 80 km. It is designed to support cargo and ammunition delivery, casualty evacuation, towing, and demining as the basis for Ratel’s Deminer rotary-trawl.
The Ratel H is a larger logistics platform weighing 1,185 kg empty, with a payload capacity of 400–500 kg at 8 km/h and the ability to operate at ranges exceeding 50 km. Like the M, it’s designed to support cargo and ammunition delivery, casualty evacuation, and towing, but it has also been tested with modules for electronic warfare, fire support, mobile FPV drone launching (via a proprietary four-cell launcher system), and C-UAS.
At the top sits the six-wheeled Ratel X, physically the largest of the Ratel family, though similar in weight to the H at 1,130 kg empty. It has a payload capacity of 400 kg and a range of up to 100–120 km. The X is the newest of the family, and while similar in capacity to the H, it is designed as an improved, longer-range option, with a higher top speed than the H (14 km/h versus 8 km/h), a longer range, and improved off-road capabilities.
All three models are battery-electric and equipped with satellite-based remote control plus a drone-mounted radio repeater for BLOS operations. The H and M also carry NATO stock numbers and AQAP 2110 certification.
The agreement here, as I know it, primarily covers production for Ukrainian needs, though lots of folks say that only to turn around and try to package it for the Canadian ecosystem. Canada’s UGV ecosystem, though, is already fairly contested and cluttered, but there is opportunity there.
While GD has MUTT, and there is significant overlap at the high end, Ratel is very much designed as an expendable, multi-role platform with long-range capabilities, whereas MUTT’s predominant focus is as a follow-along, semi-autonomous companion platform.
Both families align closely on payload capacity and size. MUTT tends to have a higher payload capacity; Ratel tends to be heavier and taller. A lower-end, cheaper offering to complement MUTT wouldn’t be out of the question, though. Interesting plays to make there, at least.
Of course, not lost on me is the inclusion of Swarmer, the Ukrainian-American company currently chaired by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, which just a few weeks ago reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ratel, the first deal in a wider planned campaign to acquire Ukrainian companies. I should note that the deal has not officially gone through, but it is obviously something to watch.
That connection is almost guaranteed to cause controversy if it pans out. Lord knows we had Draganfly yesterday, and now this today. Still, Ratel is among the largest UGV producers in Ukraine, and their inclusion here should be seen as a good thing fkr the ecosystem as we slowly hunt down many of the larger Ukrainian UxS companies. We're getting there, slowly.