In Latvia, military robots roll across a new communication challenge: woodlands
Breaking Defense • • world
Key Points:
- NATO's Crystal Arrow exercise in southeastern Latvia is testing hundreds of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) at the brigade level for the first time, focusing on new defense technologies under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
- Operators reported significant communication challenges for UGVs and aerial drones in Latvia's dense forests, with Starlink satellite connections and radio systems often disrupted by tree canopies blocking signals.
- The Latvian-made Natrix UGV, used primarily for logistics and medical evacuation during the exercise, relies on multiple communication systems, but operators expressed concerns about depending solely on satellite links like Starlink.
- Latvia's heavily forested terrain, covering 50% of the country, contrasts with Ukraine's more open environment (16% forested), impacting how UGVs and drones perform and communicate in military operations.
- Latvian military officials emphasize that Ukraine’s experience with UGVs is not directly transferable due to differing terrain, highlighting Latvia’s strategic use of dense forests to its advantage in defense planning.