Military innovation: Renk draws lessons from the Ukraine conflict and sets the stage for future tank developments

In an exciting development, German transmission manufacturer Renk has partnered with Munich-based startup ARX Robotics to venture into the defense industry as a provider of mobility solutions. This partnership marks Renk's entry into the segment of new light tanks weighing up to 15 tons, and their aim is to develop Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for potential market release by 2030.

Renk, the Augsburg-based company, has been traditionally known for its transmission solutions. However, with the collaboration with ARX Robotics, the company is now looking to expand beyond transmissions, aiming to produce unmanned and armored ground vehicles. This move comes as the importance of mobility in combat situations has been demonstrated during the Ukraine war.

The partnership between Renk and ARX Robotics is significant in terms of scaling production, expanding international reach, and further developing autonomous functionalities. Renk's products are used in approximately 180,000 vehicles, including tanks and ships, and the company claims to be the global market leader in tank transmissions, with a market share of around 70%.

Alexander Sagel, CEO of Renk, is a proponent of UGVs and believes they could operate alongside heavy tanks on future battlefields. Sagel anticipates investing 500 million euros in capacity expansion at existing sites over the next four to five years, as the company gears up for the next generation of mobility requirements beyond 2030.

The Franco-German defense group KNDS holds around 19% as the largest single shareholder of Renk. This partnership with ARX Robotics is expected to contribute to Renk's growth, as the company's total order backlog now stands at 5.9 billion euros. In the first half of the year, new business at Renk increased by around 47% to 921 million euros.

The German Armed Forces plan to acquire an additional 1,000 tanks, around 400 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, and approximately 2,500 wheeled Boxer armored fighting vehicles over the next decade. Renk is working on new technological transmission solutions for heavy tanks such as the Leopard and the South Korean K2, indicating a strong focus on meeting the defense sector's mobility needs.

The Mithra operating system from ARX Robotics will be used to develop mobility solutions for the automation and digitization of future fleets. This system is expected to play a crucial role in the development and deployment of UGVs.

Renk's revenue increased by a fifth to 620 million euros, reflecting the company's successful transition into the defense sector. The company is planning to produce unmanned and armored ground vehicles, not just transmissions, as it targets the market segment of smaller armored tracked vehicles, with speeds up to 90 km/h.

This partnership is a significant step for Renk, as it expands its product portfolio and moves towards the development of advanced mobility solutions for the defense sector. With the growing demand for UGVs and the increasing focus on automation and digitization in the defense industry, Renk is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends and contribute to the future of mobility solutions in combat situations.

Military innovation: Renk draws lessons from the Ukraine conflict and sets the stage for future tank developments