Solutions to win: defense ministry greenlights D-21 silent ground drone for use in Ukrainian army

The Ministry of Defense has codified and approved using the Ukrainian-made D-21 ground-based robotic logistics complex.

The press service of the Main Directorate for Lifecycle Support of Armaments and Military Equipment reported this on Facebook.

"The Defense Department has codified and approved the use of the Ukrainian-made D-21 ground-based robotic logistics complex," the report says.

As noted, the D-21 unmanned complex is designed to perform logistical tasks – it can:

• transport food,
• ammunition,
• military equipment,
• evacuate the wounded.

When moving along a given route at a given speed, it operates in two modes: manual and automatic.

According to the Main Directorate, the robotic complex has a control channel resistant to radio-electronic interference. The pilot controls the platform from a protected location.

^{Photo: Facebook / ArsenalInform}

The D-21 complex is equipped with:

• a silent electric engine,
• low-pressure all-terrain tires that provide high off-road, swampy, and shallow water obstacles.

These tires provide movement even after penetration.

A remote combat module with a machine gun can be installed on the robotic complex "D-21" if necessary. The robot can perform fire damage or fire support tasks with this configuration.

For reference:

As reported, the Ministry of Defense allowed about 60 ground robot samples to be used by the troops in 2024.

It should be pointed out that the compilation of ground robotic complexes comprises robots designed for a variety of activities on the front line, such as:

• logistical support of first-line positions,
• evacuation of the wounded,
• platforms for placing combat modules, etc.

Most of the codified samples are already used by units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

In Ukraine, tests of the robotic platform Solomandra were conducted. This robot should help with demining.

The Ukrainian ground unmanned robot Sirko-S1 MK2 also passed new tests.

In addition, the Ukrainian company Kvertus presented the mobile electronic countermeasure complex based on the tracked unmanned platform "Volia-E."