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Reçu aujourd’hui — 15 septembre 2025
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • AI sees, diesel drives, armor protects—Ukraine’s 4-ton ground drone Bufalo is designed to endure war
    A new Ukrainian military robot is rolling out. Oboronka news site reports that the 4-ton ground drone named “Bufalo” is diesel-powered, armored, and built for AI-assisted frontline logistics and demining. Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, dominated by aerial drones, robotic ground platforms are becoming more common in Ukraine’s war. Used for demining, cargo delivery, evacuation, and engineering, they now range from light electric types to new heavy diesel models. Bufa
     
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✇Euromaidan Press

AI sees, diesel drives, armor protects—Ukraine’s 4-ton ground drone Bufalo is designed to endure war

Par :Yuri Zoria
15 septembre 2025 à 14:01

ai sees diesel drives armor protects—ukraine’s 4-ton ground drone bufalo designed endure war equipped demining mulcher attachment photographed during field testing grassy terrain mezhamedia land new ukrainian military robot rolling

A new Ukrainian military robot is rolling out. Oboronka news site reports that the 4-ton ground drone named “Bufalo” is diesel-powered, armored, and built for AI-assisted frontline logistics and demining.

Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, dominated by aerial drones, robotic ground platforms are becoming more common in Ukraine’s war. Used for demining, cargo delivery, evacuation, and engineering, they now range from light electric types to new heavy diesel models. Bufalo, developed by an undisclosed Ukrainian company, enters this heavier category.

Bufalo: Ukraine’s new diesel-driven ground drone for war

Bufalo’s key advantage is its diesel engine. Fuel tanks can be scaled by mission, giving it a range of 100–200 km without battery swaps. Developers say electric drones can’t meet today’s longer frontlines.

“Electric drones cannot cover the distance to deliver provisions and ammunition to the front,” said company head Vladyslav.

Built for real combat conditions

Bufalo’s chassis is armored with European steel. It withstands any bullet and indirect 152 mm artillery if shells land beyond 100 meters. Even if damaged, its wheels remain operational.

The drone uses Starlink with GPS or a radio link for communications. A CRPA antenna protects satellite signal from jamming. If Starlink fails or is disabled, a relay-equipped drone can take over the signal.

It weighs about 4 tons, moves up to 20 km/h, and stays low to the ground for stealth. Its engine is powerful enough to haul cargo or tow stuck vehicles—cutting time and risk for troops.

AI-driven navigation, but no killer robot

Bufalo uses onboard cameras to detect obstacles up to 15 meters away, suggest safe routes, and stop if needed. Navigation is assisted by AI, but decisions stay human-controlled.

“The robot can lock onto and follow a target, but it will not make decisions to destroy equipment or people. I will never allow it to make decisions in place of a human…” said Vladyslav.

From failure to battlefield resilience

The idea for Bufalo came after a drone prototype failed a demo—losing a wheel and flipping. A soldier dismissed the tech, pushing Vladyslav to start from scratch. His new team asked the General Staff for requirements and collected feedback from frontline units.

Requests included smoke grenades, armored wheels, a shielded bottom to resist mines, and Starlink integration. All were implemented.

Bufalo 4-ton ground drone deploying smoke during trials in open terrain. The armored chassis and low profile are clearly visible. Photo via mezha.media
Bufalo 4-ton ground drone deploying smoke during trials in open terrain. The armored chassis and low profile are clearly visible. Photo via mezha.media

Timeline and domestic focus

The Bufalo project launched in January 2025. From March to August, the team built and tested the demining version. That kit includes the drone, a hydraulic system, mulcher, control panel, and trailer.

Developers say Bufalo is 70% Ukrainian-made, using domestic electronics and optics. The rest comes from EU suppliers. Price details remain undisclosed.

What’s next for Bufalo?

Bufalo is modular and may get combat features soon. The team is exploring weapon modules and engineering tools like remote trenching scoops. An 11-channel radio jamming system has passed tests and is ready for integration.

“We’re building an infrastructurally simple drone, so one control system can be removed and another installed. We’ve made understandable communication interfaces. The EW manufacturer just needs to provide a connector—we’ll plug it in and it’ll work automatically,” said Vladyslav.

The team plans an official presentation, followed by codification and production. Initial output will be 10 drones per month, with plans to scale.

 

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