French armed forces to receive UGVs

ECA Group, CEFA and SCOPEX have received a €30 million contract for the French Defence Procurement Agency's SMINEX programme, ECA Group announced on 10 January.

Under the contract, the companies will deliver 15 Iguana E UGVs equipped to neutralise IEDs as part of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations.

The UGVs will form part of a deployable shelter solution that can be delivered into theatre by rail, road or sea containing the equipment required to search, detect, analyse and neutralise IEDs and unexploded ordnance.

The contract covers the technology qualification, supply and maintenance of the equipment.

SMINEX is the first project related to EOD equipment being sought for the French army, navy and air force, which will include individual protection suits, handheld detectors, X-Ray systems, water cannon and UGVs.

The Iguana E UGV is designed to carry out EOD operations, such as inspecting cars, suspicious packages, and carrying out internal building inspection.

The system integrates intelligent solutions to assist the operator to prepare the mission and reach the target, with the ability to transverse obstacles and access hard-to-reach places. The UGV can enter and inspect marine vessels, climb stairs or inspect inside an overhead locker in an aircraft.