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Opinion: In the rapidly evolving world of defence innovation, autonomy is no longer a distant goal – it’s a strategic imperative.
As our militaries seek strategic advantage among recruitment and retention difficulties along with seeking to protect assets of high value, of which humans certainly are, there is a push to “trade robots for blood” to protect our valuable human beings.
Among the most disruptive technologies in this space are uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV), capable of transforming the way land forces operate. And while many nations are exploring these systems, only one country is actively co-developing them with its military at the centre of the process: Australia.
At the heart of this effort is a world-first partnership between BAE Systems Australia and the Australian Army – a collaboration that exemplifies how forward-thinking, sovereign defence forces can shape the future of warfare.
Through the Optionally Crewed Combat Vehicle Program, otherwise now known as the Modular Robotic Vehicle (MRV) Program, the Australian Army has actively sought to solve a problem that many others are yet to begin.
The Australian Army: A global leader in autonomy
Unlike most militaries, which typically act as end users or occasional testers of off-the-shelf technology, the Australian Army has taken a bold, forward-leaning approach. It is the only military in the world currently co-developing operational UGVs in an integrated research and development (R&D) program with a domestic defence prime.
This is not just experimentation at the edges, it is structured innovation. The Army’s investment and leadership in autonomy have created a test bed for deploying, refining, and accelerating the integration of robotic systems into real-world operations.
Through the adaptive reuse of legacy vehicles, in this case the M113AS4, the Australian Army has taken a vehicle that is nearing end of life in an effort to repurpose it into a capable fighting system, removing humans from first contact.
The co-design of the MRV has been entrepreneurial in nature, seeking to rapidly acquire off-the-shelf components to get it in the hands of soldiers to refine and develop the capability. It is Army-led innovation in the truest sense: user-driven, context-specific and designed for scalable deployment.
Through this partnership, the Australian Army is embedding soldiers in the development process, ensuring the technology meets operational demands from the ground up. A key feature to this program is trialling prototypes in the field, generating live feedback loops that rapidly inform system evolution and testing it in live, simulated warfare environments, shaping the future force structure with autonomous vehicles designed to enhance force protection, logistics and reconnaissance missions.
A sovereign partnership delivering strategic edge
The Australian Army’s vision has found a committed and capable partner in BAE Systems Australia, which is translating operational needs into cutting-edge robotic solutions, all developed onshore with sovereign intellectual property and workforce.
Together, they are creating more than just technology. They are building a national capability in land autonomy, embedded within the broader AUKUS framework and aligned with Defence’s strategy for future warfare. This is strengthened by BAE Systems Australia’s commitment to continue the development of this capability, internally funding the next iteration of R&D to ensure the MRV is combat ready in the very near future.
An exciting opportunity that extends Australia’s strong reputation for innovation is the export potential this system has in supporting Australia’s allies and partners across the globe, all informed by live military use cases. This is a strong example of how militaries and industry can come together and collaborate in emerging technologies to develop military capability, but also to contribute strongly to Australia’s economy.
Why this matters
As other nations look to import or adapt uncrewed ground systems, Australia is writing the blueprint for a new model: soldier-informed, sovereign-developed and mission ready. The Australian Army’s leadership is not only accelerating local innovation, it’s positioning Australia as a strategic contributor to allied autonomous capabilities.
This isn’t just about keeping pace. It’s about setting the pace.
Autonomous systems will define the next era of land warfare. Thanks to the Australian Army’s forward-leaning vision and willingness to lead and the deep expertise of BAE Systems Australia, that future is already taking shape, right here on home soil.
Australia isn’t waiting for the future of defence to arrive. It’s building it.
Will Hetherington has previously served with the Australian Army and is now a representative of BAE Systems Australia.
