Finland seeks new EOD and CBRN robots

The Finnish Defence Forces are seeking to procure new robots for explosive ordnance disposal, reconnaissance and CBRN missions.

According to tender documents, the procurement aims to equip selected Finnish Defence Forces EOD and IEDD teams with two classes of robotic systems of different sizes.

The framework agreement is valued at up to 14.3 million euro.

The robots will support a range of explosive disposal tasks and CBRN operations. Requirements are driven primarily by explosive ordnance disposal needs, with CBRN missions treated as a secondary operational requirement.

The systems are expected to support standard EOD and IEDD operations primarily in Finnish terrain and environmental conditions, while also remaining deployable for international crisis management missions worldwide.

The robots must be capable of operating in all weather conditions and at any time of day. Operators are also expected to maintain control of the systems in complex terrain, according to the Finnish Defence Forces.

The Finnish Defence Forces specified that each robot, including chassis, manipulator and batteries, must weigh less than 300kg.

The robots must use tracked mobility systems and support both wireless and wired operation. The platforms must also be capable of carrying at least two disruptor systems, with operators able to aim and fire them through the robot’s control unit.

Both the larger EOD and IEDD robots and the smaller reconnaissance platforms must be compact enough to pass through standard doorways and operate in public-space corridors.

The smaller reconnaissance robot must also be capable of navigating narrower passageways, including those found inside public transport vehicles.

The framework agreement covers eight robots, spare parts and training. The initial order will include four robots, together with a spare parts package and training.