Next-Gen Autonomous UGV Unveiled Ahead of European Field Trials

VisionWave Holdings, Inc. has outlined upcoming field testing of its Varan Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), a highly autonomous and modular ground platform engineered to transform the modern battlefield.

Testing for the Varan UGV is scheduled to begin in December 2025 in Europe with a major defense industry partner, pending all required regulatory approvals. VisionWave developed the platform as a response to the evolving nature of warfare, where autonomous intelligence is increasingly replacing traditional heavy armor.

Named after the Varan lizard, the UGV is designed to demonstrate precision, stealth, and dominance across various terrains using AI-driven autonomy. Built as a force multiplier, the Varan offers mobility, adaptability, and modularity. Its proprietary drive train uses independently actuated suspension legs, intended to combine the agility of robotic systems, the speed of wheeled vehicles, and the terrain dominance of tracked systems.

The Varan is powered by VisionWave’s 4D radar and a proprietary autonomous navigation engine, enabling it to operate individually or in coordinated swarms. It is designed to navigate complex environments, avoid obstacles, and detect both ground and aerial threats in real time.

The platform’s modularity allows for rapid reconfiguration with various payloads. These include Counter-UAS modules for air-threat interception and perimeter defense, Active Protection Systems (APS) for survivability, Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for tactical engagement, troop and supply transport configurations, and CASEVAC modules for casualty evacuation and battlefield medical support.

Available in electric and hybrid variants, the Varan is optimized for stealth, endurance, and rapid deployment. The company states it is intended to deliver autonomy, reduced logistical footprint, and cost efficiency compared with other comparable systems currently in development.

The Varan was designed and built in Britain by VisionWave’s UK engineering team under the leadership of Jez Williman, Head of Ground Vehicle Development, using scalable, interoperable architecture to support mass production and multi-domain integration.

Noam Kenig, Chief Executive Officer of VisionWave, stated, “The Varan represents a new generation of battlefield intelligence. It’s more than a vehicle, it’s a living system of automation and adaptability. As one of the participants in early autonomous vehicle research projects that contributed to the broader ecosystem later showcased in the DARPA Grand Challenge, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency competition that pioneered modern self-driving systems, it feels like a full-circle moment to see how far autonomous mobility has advanced. As UGVs become the next great evolution of unmanned warfare, Varan stands ready to lead that revolution.”

Jez Williman added, “We designed the Varan entirely from the ground up as a true autonomous vehicle – every system, actuator, and algorithm developed in-house to achieve extreme terrain capability, reliability, and serviceability. The result is a compact, interoperable platform with anticipated multi-hit lightweight armour pending formal ballistic certification, simplified maintenance, and exceptional scalability across mission types. Whether deployed as a single unit or within a swarm, the Varan adapts instantly – from reconnaissance to resupply to defence. This is autonomy you can trust, maintain, and multiply.”

The upcoming European field trials will demonstrate the Varan’s swarm coordination, modular payload integration, and all-terrain endurance.

The Varan is the first in a family of next-generation ground autonomy systems currently in development at VisionWave.