UNAC Wins French Army Contract to Supply Robotic Explosive Disposal Platforms

The French defense procurement agency (DGA) has selected local firm UNAC to supply up to 34 explosive ordnance disposal robots for the French Army.

UNAC was selected under the ROBIN (ROBot INvestigation) program, which aims to equip the French Army’s engineering regiments with a heavy robotic platform for reconnaissance and the exploration of high-risk environments.​

The Gard-based firm reportedly secured the contract ahead of several major land defense players, including Arquus, KNDS, and Soframe. 

Robotic Arm

While details of the contract remain limited, a DGA tender issued in April specified that the 1,500-kilogram (3,307-pound) platform should be remotely operated from several hundred meters away and equipped with an investigation arm fitted with a multifunction tool.

The robotic arm is expected to have a lifting capacity of 120 kilograms (265 pounds) at a height of 3.8 meters (12 feet). 

In addition to integrated observation cameras, the arm will be fitted with specialized tools, including a gripper, a grid, and an air blow gun.

“After detecting a buried suspicious object, the ROBIN system will remove the layer of material concealing it, allowing for observation and initial analysis,” the tender explained.

“If necessary, the object will be moved to extract it and relocate it away from the path of exploration.”

The tender also requires the robot to be towable by a Griffon-type armored personnel carrier over distances of several hundred meters at speeds up to 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) per hour. 

Based on Robot Fardier

According to UNAC, the selected platform is based on the company’s Fardier air-droppable all-terrain vehicle, which is already in service with French special forces and airborne units.

The vehicle has a payload capacity of 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds), which increases by an additional 400 kilograms (882 pounds) when towing a trailer.

Robotization of the Fardier will be carried out by Safran Electronics & Defense, covering both hardware integration and software development, including vehicle control systems,  human-machine interface, and data-flow management.

UNAC will be responsible for the design, manufacture, and assembly of the complete system — including the platform, articulated arm, tools, mobility components, and overall architecture — and for translating Safran Defense’s command inputs into mechanical actions in the field.