iMUGS2 Consortium Launched to Advance Unmanned Ground Systems in Europe
On 20 November 2025, the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) convened the inaugural meeting of the iMUGS2 consortium. This initiative emerged from the 2024 European Defence Fund (EDF) calls for proposals, securing nearly €50 million in EDF financing aimed at bolstering European capabilities in unmanned ground systems.
Strategic Importance of Unmanned Systems
The development of unmanned systems within the European Union is a top priority highlighted in the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030. Unmanned systems represent one of the most transformative military innovations in recent times. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the rapid proliferation and tactical significance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), demonstrating their pivotal role in contemporary warfare. The operational importance of these systems continues to expand across terrestrial, aerial, and maritime domains.
Despite advancements in air and naval unmanned capabilities, ground operations pose unique challenges due to intricate terrains and operational constraints, limiting the deployment of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). iMUGS2 aims to close these gaps, building on the achievements of its predecessor, the initial iMUGS project funded under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).
Enhancing Europe’s Robotics Infrastructure
The iMUGS2 project intends to fortify Europe’s robotics landscape by crafting a scalable, interoperable, and secure system-of-systems architecture that integrates both unmanned and manned platforms. This architecture will specifically address operational limitations encountered in complex environments. Core technological advancements will focus on:
- AI-Driven Autonomy
- Systems Integration
- Robust Communication Networks
- Improved Command-and-Control Operations
The consortium’s ambition has notably evolved compared to the first iMUGS prototype. Coordinated by Milrem Robotics, iMUGS2 now comprises 29 contributors, including large corporations, mid-sized enterprises, SMEs, and research institutions, reflecting Europe’s increasing aspirations in this strategic domain.
Strengthening the European Defence Landscape
iMUGS2 is poised to significantly impact the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy and preparedness with a comprehensive European solution.
Upcoming Developmental Steps
The consortium is set to embark on extensive conceptual, operational, and technical development across multiple domains. This phase will involve:
- Designing and fine-tuning operational frameworks
- Developing system architectures
- Advancing autonomous functionalities
- Establishing secure communication channels
- Implementing electronic protection strategies
These elements are critical for future manned-unmanned integration.
Overview of the European Defence Fund
Since its inception, the European Defence Fund (EDF) has allocated close to €6.5 billion towards defence research and development, establishing the EU as a leading global defence investor. The EDF features a total budget of nearly €7.3 billion earmarked for the period from 2021 to 2027.
Within the EDF Work Programme for 2024, which totals €1.1 billion, €130 million is designated for land defence initiatives, including:
- Intelligent weaponry and ammunition systems
- Multipurpose unmanned ground systems
- Beyond the line-of-sight close combat
- Next-generation armored infantry fighting vehicles
The iMUGS2 initiative exemplifies a concerted effort to enhance Europe’s defensive posture through advanced technological integration, fostering collaboration and resilience in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.
