Rheinmetall is moving to strengthen its presence in autonomous military technologies through a new agreement to purchase a majority stake in Croatian robotics manufacturer DOK-ING. The deal grants Rheinmetall a 51 percent share in the company, while founder Vjekoslav Majetić will maintain the remaining ownership and continue managing operations from Zagreb. The acquisition, which still requires regulatory approval, is aimed at advancing collaborative development of unmanned ground vehicles for combat and support missions. Future systems are expected to address operational tasks such as battlefield reconnaissance, mine clearance, mine deployment, and armed support operations. A flagship project planned under the partnership is the “Wingman” unmanned combat vehicle designed to accompany armored platforms like main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The system will leverage the Komodo modular hybrid UGV architecture developed by DOK-ING, which supports payloads above 8.5 tonnes. Rheinmetall will enhance the platform by integrating advanced weapon modules, logistics capabilities, and autonomous control technologies. The company also intends to establish a regional competence center dedicated to autonomous tactical systems in Croatia, enabling research, development, and industrial cooperation in next-generation robotic defense solutions across the Balkans.
