JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Ministry announced that its next-generation robotic combat vehicle was unveiled on Monday at the Eurosatory Defense and Security Exhibition in Paris.
The so-called Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle (M-RCV) was presented for the first time at the bi-annual weapons and security trade fair, which was opened in Paris earlier in the day.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that several "cutting-edge technologies" were integrated into the vehicle, including advanced maneuvering capabilities and an ability to carry heavy and varied mission loads.
It also features a built-in system for transporting and receiving drones designed to perform reconnaissance missions in the field ahead of the arrival of the vehicle.
The vehicle, which is still in the final stages of development, will also incorporate a missile launcher.
The vehicle was designed to be operational day and night in all-weather scenarios while "implementing an open architecture for integrating future capabilities and integrating the robot alongside other tools and capabilities," the ministry said.
The system was developed as part of "the autonomous battlefield concept," which is led by the Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense Research and Development in collaboration with Israeli weapons companies.
Field tests are expected to begin in 2023, the ministry said. ■
