Natrix UGV equipped with FN Herstal deFNder Light remote weapon station at Eurosatory 2022. (Alexander Stronell/Janes)
Latvia‘s Brasa Defence Systems unveiled a combat configuration of its Natrix unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at Eurosatory 2022 in Paris.
The Natrix was exhibited armed with an FN Herstal deFNder Light remote weapon station. Speaking to Janes , Brasa representatives said that the system is expected to undergo live-fire testing by the end of the year, and computer simulations have also been conducted.
Janes understands that the idea for integrating the FN Herstal system onto the Natrix emerged during trials for integrated modular unmanned ground system (iMUGS) – the European Union's (EU) UGV programme – in September 2021. “Basically, we went together there with Herstal, and the idea came into place,” a Brasa representative told Janes .
They added, “The Latvian army has ... FN Herstal weapons systems. Right now this is a merging process, so the intent was to match together to see if it can fit and hold. The next step is to go through a testing phase about the stability.”
Janes understands Brasa is participating in a Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) grant programme. The Latvian regular army has leased several Natrix systems for testing in logistics, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) configurations, with final procurement decisions to be taken following the conclusion of the evaluation process. No fixed timeframe has been agreed upon between Brasa and the Latvian MoD.
Brasa is also understood to be engaged in conversations with at least one other European MoD with a view to the leasing of the system for analysis.
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