The UK Ministry of Defence has announced the launch of Project ATTILA, an initiative aimed at transforming the Army’s Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) into unmanned combat engineering systems. The objective is to develop a breaching capability for minefields using optionally manned platforms that can operate both domestically and abroad under the command of Royal Engineer units.
According to official documentation, the contract will have an estimated value of £15 million (including VAT) and will initially run from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028, with the possibility of extension until March 2029.
The project consists of two main phases:
- Phase 1: acquisition of up to six systems based on in-service Warrior vehicles, fitted with front-mounted engineering devices to provide battle group-level breaching capability.
- Phase 2: progressive development of these systems to evolve from remote-controlled operation to autonomous operation, refining requirements for future acquisitions of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
The selection procedure will be competitive and flexible. Interested suppliers must register on the Defence Sourcing Portal and ensure delivery of the Phase 1 systems within the specified deadlines in order to qualify for the bidding stage. The deadline for submitting applications for participation is September 26, 2025, with contract award expected on November 18, 2025.
The Warrior as the basis of the new system
The Warrior IFV entered service in 1988 and has taken part in multiple campaigns, including the Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. Designed to operate alongside Challenger 2 main battle tanks, it combines mobility, protection, and firepower.
Manufactured by BAE Systems, the vehicle has a crew of three and capacity for seven additional soldiers. It is equipped with a 30 mm Rarden cannon, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and can be fitted with anti-armor rockets. Variants include command post vehicles, artillery observation platforms, as well as recovery and repair vehicles.
Converting this model into an unmanned combat engineering vehicle seeks to leverage its robustness and versatility, adapting it to the new demands of operations in environments with mines and improvised explosive devices.
Cover image credit: UK Ministry of Defence
