The Ukrainian robot Varkhan has been approved for military use
The Ukrainian ground-based robotic system Varkhan has been officially adopted and authorized for use by the Defense Forces. The robot is already operating on the front lines and performing logistical tasks—in particular, delivering cargo to positions where it is too dangerous to send troops. The maximum payload it can carry is 300 kilograms.
The Ukrainian company Air3F has received authorization to operate the Varkhan ground-based robotic system within the Ukrainian Defense Forces. It is already being used in combat conditions to carry out logistical missions. The company explained that the robot helps deliver essential cargo to positions where it may be dangerous for people to travel. “Varkhan is operating successfully in combat conditions, carrying out logistics missions on the front lines. The robotic complex is used to deliver essential cargo to positions where it is risky to deploy personnel,” Air3F noted.
Varkhan is built on a 4×4 all-wheel-drive chassis. It features a dependent suspension and 220 millimeters of ground clearance, allowing it to navigate rough terrain. The robot can carry up to 300 kilograms of cargo. With this load, it can travel up to 37 kilometers over rough terrain. When traveling unloaded, its range increases to 50 kilometers.
Varkhan’s maximum speed is 20 kilometers per hour. According to the manufacturer, the system can operate for up to 72 hours. To achieve this, it is equipped with quick-change rechargeable batteries that can be replaced quickly. The developers paid special attention to communications and control. Varkhan uses a secure analog radio channel to transmit commands and data. The system also supports integration with Starlink and LTE.
The robot can operate at night as well. To this end, it is equipped with infrared lighting, which allows the system to be used in nighttime conditions. Varkhan is part of Air3F’s larger ecosystem of unmanned solutions. This ecosystem also includes T-Bone ground control stations, antennas, masts, repeaters, and gimbals. The company notes that standardizing the system paves the way for further scaling up its production and supply to the Armed Forces. Mass production of Varkhan has already begun, and the robots themselves continue to be used on the front lines.
Varkhan is not the only Ukrainian ground robot used for logistics and evacuation. Previously, reports emerged about the Ratel H unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), which was also developed for such tasks. It can carry up to 400 kilograms of cargo and has a claimed range of up to 60 kilometers. The Ukrainian military is increasingly utilizing unmanned ground vehicles. In August, it was reported that since the beginning of 2026, the Defense Forces had carried out more than 100,000 logistics and evacuation missions using unmanned ground vehicle systems.
It was also noted at that time that, as of August, contracts had been signed for more than 22,000 ground-based robotic systems. This is nearly twice as many as were contracted for the entire year of 2025. Such robots make it possible to carry out certain tasks without the direct involvement of military personnel. This primarily involves the delivery of ammunition, equipment, food, and other essential supplies to dangerous areas, as well as evacuation missions.
