Babcock and Ark Robotics partner on uncrewed ground vehicles for UK forces

Babcock has partnered with Ark Robotics to explore building uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) in the UK, bringing technology already operating on the Ukrainian battlefield to UK and allied forces.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2026. The agreement covers potential UK manufacturing, systems and payload integration, training, logistics and operational support.

The partnership could give the UK access to systems developed using direct experience from Ukraine, where ground robots increasingly perform dangerous tasks that would otherwise expose soldiers.

Ark Robotics A1 already deployed in Ukraine

At the centre of the partnership is Ark Robotics’ A1 UGV, which is already deployed with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to Babcock’s announcement, the compact vehicle can travel up to 20km on a charge, reach speeds of 40km/h and carry a payload of up to 15kg.

UGVs can carry ammunition, weapons and other supplies towards frontline positions. They can also support casualty evacuation and generate smoke screens, potentially allowing soldiers to remain farther from exposed areas.

Babcock and Ark Robotics demonstrated the A1 at DVD 2026 equipped with a Concept smoke generator. The system can automatically deploy a smoke screen where needed.

The companies have not announced a UK production contract or confirmed how many vehicles UK forces could eventually receive. At this stage, the MoU is an agreement to explore manufacturing and integration opportunities, not a procurement order.

One operator could control several ground robots

Babcock and Ark Robotics will also examine the potential use of Ark’s Frontier autonomy system. The technology provides autonomous navigation and is designed to allow one operator to control multiple robotic vehicles simultaneously.

That could become increasingly important as armed forces move from operating individual remotely controlled vehicles towards deploying larger numbers of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.

Louise Atkinson, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Land and Mission Systems sector, said the partnership would combine the companies’ capabilities.

“In a more volatile and unpredictable world, our customers need the latest and most innovative solutions to ensure they maintain the operational edge,” she said.

Atkinson added that Babcock could use its expertise in “autonomy, manufacturing and systems integration” to develop next-generation uncrewed ground systems for UK and international customers.

Ukraine experience shapes the technology

Ark Robotics CEO Achi Takagama said the company had been developing unmanned systems using experience gained in Ukraine.

“We are building infrastructure for a future in which militaries field many times more unmanned systems than soldiers,” he said.

Takagama said reaching that scale would require manufacturing capacity, systems integration and long-term support alongside the underlying robotic technology.

“Partnering with Babcock, a global defence leader, is how we bring what we have learned on the frontline to the UK and other allies at scale,” he said.

The proposed UK manufacturing element could also turn a battlefield-developed system into what the companies describe as a sovereign capability, with domestic integration and through-life support.

The next step will be for Babcock and Ark Robotics to assess how the Ukrainian-developed technology could be manufactured, integrated and supported for UK and allied requirements. No timetable for production or entry into UK military service has been announced yet.