Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles

DOK-ING is a Croatian robotics and vehicle manufacturer whose business centers on remotely operated and increasingly autonomous ground systems. Established in 1992 by Vjekoslav Majetić, the company developed from a specialist producer of robotic machines for hazardous environments into an international supplier of unmanned systems used in humanitarian demining, firefighting, underground mining and counter-terrorism operations. Its corporate identity has historically been associated with DOK-ING d.o.o.; the company is identified in the authoritative reference material as Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles d.o.o., reflecting its later strategic relationship with the German defense group Rheinmetall. The company’s best-known activity is the development of robotic mine-clearance vehicles. Its machines are designed to keep operators at a safer distance while mechanically neutralizing or removing mines and other explosive hazards. The MV family includes systems such as the MV-4 and MV-10, while the company’s broader portfolio has included earlier mine-clearance models, specialized firefighting vehicles and platforms for underground mining. Reference material describes DOK-ING products as accounting for a substantial share of the global market for robotized mine-clearing machines, although the precise market-share claim is not independently quantified here. DOK-ING has also applied its remote-operation expertise to firefighting. Its vehicles are intended for dangerous industrial, forest and structural-fire environments where heat, smoke, toxic materials or unstable structures can place conventional crews at risk. The MVF-5 is identified among its firefighting products, alongside earlier JELKA-4 and JELKA-10 systems. In underground mining, the company develops machines that can work in confined or hazardous areas while limiting the need for personnel to enter them directly. The company has also supplied robotic systems for explosive-ordnance disposal and security-related missions. A separate automotive division broadened the brand into civilian electric mobility. The division introduced the XD electric city-car prototype in 2010, but the vehicle did not proceed to regular series production. DOK-ING later produced two electric buses for Koprivnica in connection with the European Civitas Dyn@mo project, unveiled the TOM TOM multifunctional communal vehicle, and introduced Core electric scooters and Leo electric bicycles. Core scooters were exported to several European and non-European markets. The automotive division was sold and separated from DOK-ING during a 2019 restructuring, so these mobility products should be distinguished from the company’s continuing unmanned-systems business. DOK-ING’s international role expanded after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Negotiations were reported in 2023 concerning local production of the MV-4 in Ukraine, where examples of the vehicle had been purchased or donated. The company opened a representative office in Kyiv in 2024 and subsequently increased the reported local share of production to 30 percent by 2025. In 2024, it also entered a joint venture with Rheinmetall focused on unmanned vehicles for missions including mine scattering, tank support, air defense and reconnaissance. In 2025, the company presented an integrated unmanned ground combat system based on its MV-8 Komodo platform and fitted with the Mangart 25 AD remotely controlled turret made by Valhalla Systems. Reference material further reports that Rheinmetall acquired a 51 percent stake in March 2026, giving it control of the company.

DOK-ING was established in Croatia in 1992 by Vjekoslav Majetić. From its beginning, the company concentrated on robotic and remotely operated machinery intended for hazardous work. This focus led to the development of systems for mine clearance, firefighting, underground mining, explosive-ordnance disposal and related security missions. Rather than treating robotics as a consumer novelty, DOK-ING positioned its machines as tools for reducing human exposure to explosives, fire, unstable structures, toxic environments and confined industrial spaces. Mine clearance became the company’s defining field. The MV product family was developed for remote mechanical demining, allowing operators to control vehicles from a safer stand-off distance. The portfolio included the MV-2, MV-3, MV-4, MV-10 and MV-20, with the MV-4 and MV-10 listed among the current mine-clearance vehicles in the reference material. The company’s systems achieved international use and were described as representing a large proportion of the world market for robotized mine-clearance machines. DOK-ING also developed EOD robots and specialized firefighting platforms, including the JELKA-4, JELKA-10 and MVF-5. Its MVD vehicles addressed underground mining, another setting in which remote operation can reduce risks to workers. DOK-ING expanded into electric mobility through an automotive division. The Dok-Ing XD electric city car was introduced as a prototype in 2010. It did not reach formal serial production, although one example was sold to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Zagreb. In 2015, the division manufactured two electric buses for the city of Koprivnica under the European Civitas Dyn@mo project. In 2016, it presented the TOM TOM multifunctional communal vehicle and began serial production of Core electric scooters. By 2017, Core scooters had been exported to Spain, Mexico, France, Italy and Malta. The division also introduced Leo electric bicycles and announced a proposed electric car known by the working name YD, with a projected range of 300–400 kilometers. In 2019, the automotive division was sold and separated from DOK-ING during a broader restructuring. The company’s defense and humanitarian relevance increased during the war in Ukraine. In 2023, reports described discussions with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence about localizing MV-4 production. DOK-ING opened a Kyiv representative office in 2024, and by 2025 the reported Ukrainian localization level had reached 30 percent. These developments connected the company’s established demining expertise with a large-scale operational requirement for clearing mines and unexploded ordnance. DOK-ING’s relationship with Rheinmetall developed in parallel. In 2024, the companies entered a joint venture for unmanned systems intended for mine scattering, tank support, air defense and reconnaissance. In 2025, DOK-ING demonstrated an integrated unmanned ground combat system based on the MV-8 Komodo platform, equipped with the Mangart 25 AD remotely controlled turret from Valhalla Systems. The reference material reports that Rheinmetall acquired 51 percent of DOK-ING in March 2026, making Rheinmetall the controlling shareholder and leading to the Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles identity used for the authoritative encyclopedia subject.

• 2026

  Rheinmetall reportedly takes control

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Rheinmetall reportedly acquires a 51 percent stake in DOK-ING in March and becomes its controlling shareholder.

• 2025

  MV-8 Komodo combat system unveiled

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  The company presents an integrated unmanned ground combat system based on the MV-8 Komodo platform.

• 2024

  Kyiv office and Rheinmetall joint venture

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  DOK-ING opens a representative office in Kyiv and enters a Rheinmetall joint venture for military unmanned vehicles.

• 2023

  Ukraine localization discussions begin

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Negotiations are reported concerning local production of the MV-4 mine-clearance vehicle in Ukraine.

• 2019

  Automotive division is separated

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  DOK-ING Automotiv is sold and excluded from the company during restructuring.

• 2016

  TOM TOM and Core mobility products appear

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  The automotive division unveils the TOM TOM multifunctional communal vehicle and starts serial production of Core electric scooters.

• 2015

  Electric buses supplied to Koprivnica

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Two electric buses are produced for Koprivnica as part of the European Civitas Dyn@mo project.

• 2010

  XD electric-car prototype introduced

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  The automotive division presents the Dok-Ing XD electric city car, which remains a prototype rather than entering regular serial production.

• 1992

  DOK-ING is established

  [1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Vjekoslav Majetić establishes the Croatian company to develop robotic and specialized vehicles for hazardous applications.

A specialist industrial and defense-technology brand focused on keeping people away from mines, fires, explosive hazards and other dangerous operating environments through remotely operated and autonomous vehicles.

• Mine-clearance vehicle

  MV-4

  The MV-4 is a remotely operated mine-clearance vehicle designed to mechanically clear mines and explosive hazards while keeping the operator away from the immediate danger area. It is one of DOK-ING’s principal systems and became central to reported plans for localized production in Ukraine.

• Mine-clearance vehicle

  MV-10

  The MV-10 belongs to DOK-ING’s larger mine-clearance vehicle family. It is intended for remote operation in environments containing land mines and other explosive remnants of war, extending the company’s specialist demining portfolio beyond the MV-4.

• Firefighting vehicle

  MVF-5

  The MVF-5 is an unmanned firefighting platform for situations in which heat, smoke, hazardous materials or structural instability make direct deployment of crews particularly risky. It applies DOK-ING’s remote-vehicle expertise to emergency response.

• Underground mining vehicle

  MVD

  MVD is DOK-ING’s underground mining vehicle line. These systems are intended for confined and hazardous mining environments where remote operation can reduce the need for personnel to work directly at the face or in unstable areas.

• Unmanned ground combat platform · 2025

  MV-8 Komodo

  The MV-8 Komodo is a proprietary robotic ground platform adapted for military applications. In 2025 it was shown as the basis of an integrated unmanned combat system fitted with Valhalla Systems’ Mangart 25 AD remote-controlled turret.

• Firefighting vehicle

  JELKA-4 and JELKA-10

  JELKA-4 and JELKA-10 are earlier DOK-ING firefighting vehicles. They form part of the company’s discontinued or historical portfolio of remotely operated machines for dangerous fire-response environments.

• Explosive-ordnance-disposal robot

  EOD robots

  DOK-ING has produced robotic systems for explosive-ordnance disposal and counter-terrorism applications. These machines are intended to let trained personnel inspect or handle suspicious objects from a protected distance.

• Electric city car · 2010

  Dok-Ing XD

  The XD was an electric city-car prototype introduced by DOK-ING’s automotive division in 2010. It did not enter formal serial production, although one vehicle was sold to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Zagreb.

• Electric scooter · 2016

  Core

  Core was DOK-ING’s electric-scooter line. Serial production began in 2016, and reference material reports exports to Spain, Mexico, France, Italy and Malta by 2017. The line belonged to the automotive division that was later separated from DOK-ING.

• Electric bicycle

  Leo

  Leo was a series of electric bicycles developed by DOK-ING’s automotive division. It represented the company’s attempt to extend its electric-mobility activities beyond vehicles and scooters before the division was sold.

• 2015Civitas Dyn@mo electric-bus project

  Koprivnica · Croatia · European Union

  DOK-ING’s automotive division produced two electric buses for Koprivnica as part of the European Civitas Dyn@mo program, linking the brand to sustainable urban-mobility experimentation.

  Outcome. The buses were produced for the municipal project; no broader production scale is specified in the reference material.

  Source

• 2025

  Adapt MV-8 Komodo for military useProduct launch

  Background

  DOK-ING expanded from humanitarian and industrial robotics toward integrated unmanned military ground systems.

  Action taken

  The company presented an MV-8 Komodo-based unmanned ground combat system integrated with Valhalla Systems’ Mangart 25 AD remote-controlled turret.

  Aftermath

  The presentation demonstrated a military configuration of DOK-ING’s proprietary robotic platform; further procurement or deployment details are not specified.

  Source

• 2024

  Form an unmanned-systems joint venture with RheinmetallM&A

  Background

  DOK-ING’s established unmanned ground-vehicle capabilities created a basis for cooperation with Rheinmetall in military robotics.

  Action taken

  The companies entered a joint venture aimed at unmanned vehicles for mine scattering, tank support, air defense and reconnaissance.

  Aftermath

  The cooperation preceded Rheinmetall’s reported acquisition of a controlling stake in DOK-ING and broadened the company’s defense-oriented development agenda.

  Source

• 2023

  Localize MV-4 production in UkraineStrategy

  Background

  Ukraine’s large-scale mine and unexploded-ordnance clearance requirements increased demand for specialized robotic demining systems.

  Action taken

  DOK-ING negotiated with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence over local production of the MV-4 and later established a Kyiv representative office.

  Aftermath

  Reported Ukrainian production localization reached 30 percent by 2025.

  Source

• 2019

  Separate the automotive divisionStrategy

  Background

  DOK-ING had developed electric cars, buses, scooters and bicycles through a dedicated automotive division, but the division’s XD car remained a prototype and the broader business was subsequently restructured.

  Action taken

  The automotive division was sold and excluded from DOK-ING during restructuring.

  Aftermath

  The continuing DOK-ING business remained focused on unmanned robotic systems, demining, firefighting, mining and security applications.

  Source

• 2026

  Rheinmetall acquires controlling stake in DOK-ING[1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Rheinmetall reportedly acquired 51 percent of DOK-ING in March 2026, gaining control of the Croatian unmanned-systems company.

• 2025

  MV-8 Komodo unmanned combat system presented[1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  DOK-ING unveiled an integrated unmanned ground combat system using its MV-8 Komodo robotic platform and Valhalla Systems’ Mangart 25 AD remote-controlled turret.

• 2024

  DOK-ING opens representative office in Kyiv[1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company established a representative presence in Kyiv as part of its developing Ukrainian operations.

• 2024

  DOK-ING and Rheinmetall establish unmanned-vehicle joint venture[1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Product launch

  The companies entered a joint venture to develop unmanned vehicles for mine scattering, tank support, air defense and reconnaissance.

• 2023

  DOK-ING discusses local production of MV-4 mine-clearance vehicle in Ukraine[1]Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Negotiations were reported with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence concerning localization of production for the MV-4. Vehicles of the type had previously been purchased or donated to Ukraine.

1. 1Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehiclesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2DOK-ING official websitedok-ing.hr