Krampus UGV with flamethrower approved for frontline use in Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has codified and approved the Krampus mobile flamethrower strike platform for operational use. The Ukrainian-made ground robotic complex (UGV) is intended for assault and defensive missions.

Krampus features a compact design, allowing it to be transported in a pickup truck, minibus, or on a trailer. It is equipped with two silent electric motors and a tracked chassis, enabling it to traverse rough terrain, including forests, sand, swamps and steep slopes. The system is designed to operate in various weather conditions and is fitted with control channels resistant to electronic warfare. Its battery provides several hours of continuous movement, with the ability to remain in standby mode for extended periods.

The UGV is equipped with video cameras and a combat module armed with RPV-16 infantry flamethrowers, which can neutralise enemy personnel and lightly armoured vehicles.

The RPV-16 flamethrower is a Ukrainian development adopted by the armed forces in 2018. It consists of a thermobaric warhead and a rocket motor that propels the munition and detaches in flight. The warhead weighs 4 kg and is equipped with a thermobaric mixture for a volumetric explosion. Upon impact, the aerosol ignites, creating a fireball with a temperature of up to 2,500 °C.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defence has approved more than 80 ground robotic complexes for use, most of which are Ukrainian-made. In 2025 alone, over two dozen NRCs entered service, performing tasks such as reconnaissance, mine-laying and clearance, evacuation, patrolling, and functioning as kamikaze systems.