Komodo UGV with Mangart 25 SHORAD Turret: Croatia & Slovenia’s New Counter-Drone Robot

Croatia and Slovenia have jointly introduced a new unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platform — the Komodo — equipped with the Mangart 25 short-range air defense (SHORAD) turret. Designed for autonomous or remote-controlled counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) operations, this modular robotic system reflects growing regional investment in mobile air defense against low-cost drone threats.

Joint Development Between Croatia and Slovenia

The Komodo UGV is a collaborative effort between Croatian firm DOK-ING and Slovenian company Valhalla Turrets. The project represents a rare example of cross-border MilTech cooperation in the Western Balkans. It was unveiled at the Adriatic Sea Defense & Aerospace (ASDA) exhibition in Split in October 2025.

DOK-ING is known for its field-proven unmanned mine-clearing vehicles such as the MV-4 and MV-10. Valhalla Turrets specializes in remote weapon stations (RWS), including the Cobra and Mangart series. The Komodo leverages DOK-ING’s experience in rugged robotic platforms while integrating Valhalla’s advanced weapon control systems.

This joint initiative aligns with NATO’s emphasis on interoperable C-UAS solutions among member states. Both Croatia and Slovenia are NATO members seeking to modernize their force structures amid rising drone threats observed in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Komodo UGV Platform Overview

The Komodo is a tracked unmanned ground vehicle designed for high mobility across varied terrain — from urban rubble to forested or mountainous zones typical of Balkan geography. While full technical specifications remain limited as of publication time, open-source imagery from ASDA 2025 suggests:

Drive: Tracked chassis with hybrid-electric propulsion
Control: Remote operation via encrypted RF link; semi-autonomous navigation under development
Payload capacity: Estimated at ~500–800 kg
Sensors: EO/IR cameras; LIDAR or stereo vision likely for obstacle avoidance
Communications: Encrypted datalink; potential Link-16 integration for NATO interoperability

The vehicle appears optimized for modular payloads — allowing it to carry not just air defense turrets but also EW jammers, ISR sensors, or logistics modules depending on mission needs.

Mangart 25 SHORAD Turret Capabilities

The centerpiece of this configuration is the Mangart 25 turret — a short-range air defense remote weapon station developed by Valhalla Turrets. It is designed specifically to detect and engage low-flying UAVs using kinetic firepower.

Main armament: M242 Bushmaster chain gun chambered in 25×137 mm NATO
Ammunition types: HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer), APDS-T (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer), programmable airburst munitions under development
Sensors: Integrated EO/IR suite with laser rangefinder; radar optional depending on variant
Fire control: Automated target tracking; AI-assisted aiming algorithms reportedly under testing

The use of a proven M242 platform ensures reliability while enabling engagement of Class I UAVs (<150 kg) at ranges up to several kilometers depending on sensor suite integration. The turret supports full stabilization for firing on-the-move — critical when mounted on mobile platforms like the Komodo.

Tactical Role: Mobile Counter-UAS Shielding Forward Units

The Komodo-Mangart combination fills an emerging tactical niche: mobile counter-drone protection for mechanized infantry columns or static assets like command posts or radar stations. Unlike fixed SHORAD systems or manned anti-aircraft guns, this robotic solution offers persistent coverage without exposing personnel to enemy fire or loitering munitions.

This concept mirrors trends seen globally — including Russia’s use of Terminator-style armed UGVs during testing phases in Syria, or Ukraine’s rapid adoption of FPV drones prompting new C-UAS requirements across Europe.

Croatia and Slovenia aim to field-test prototypes within their armed forces by mid-2026. If successful, serial production may follow under joint procurement frameworks or offered via EDA/NATO channels to other European allies facing similar drone saturation threats.

NATO Interoperability and Export Potential

A key design goal appears to be interoperability within NATO C4ISR architectures. While not yet confirmed officially, integration with Link-16 datalinks or STANAG-compliant BMS interfaces would allow real-time cueing from higher-echelon surveillance assets such as Giraffe radars or AWACS aircraft.

This would enable Komodos to operate as networked “shooters” within layered air defense grids — especially relevant given NATO’s push toward distributed SHORAD nodes post-Russo-Ukrainian war lessons learned.

If proven effective during trials, both countries may seek EU PESCO funding or market it through OCCAR channels as an affordable European-made C-UAS solution tailored for smaller nations lacking large IADS infrastructure but still needing agile counter-drone capability.

Future Developments and Open Questions

DOK-ING has hinted at future variants including versions armed with directed energy weapons (DEWs) once power generation issues are resolved. Another possibility involves mounting soft-kill EW payloads such as GNSS jammers or RF spoofers alongside kinetic turrets — creating layered hard/soft kill zones per platform.

However several questions remain open as of late 2025:

No confirmed unit cost per system yet disclosed;
No public data on sensor fusion latency vs small fast drones;
No indication whether export licenses will be restricted due to ITAR components if US-origin M242 remains central;
No battlefield test data yet available from live-fire exercises against swarming UAV targets;
No published doctrine yet on how these units integrate into existing Croatian/Slovenian brigade structures;

The next major milestone will likely be field trials under operational conditions sometime in Q3–Q4 2026. Until then, observers will watch closely whether this Balkan-born robot can punch above its weight class against increasingly lethal drone swarms seen worldwide.