RAPSTONE: ARX secures contract for Gereon UGVs

ARX Robotics has secured a contract for Gereon UGVs from the UK MoD. The order ran through Task Force RAPSTONE, which was set up to facilitate rapid acquisition of new technologies.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 16, 2026.

The UK arm of ARX Robotics has secured its first contract for Gereon UGVs from the British MoD. The order will kick-start UK production of the platforms, which have been ordered through Task Force RAPSTONE.

Building upon earlier experimentation with Helsing and the British Army, the first Gereons will be supplied in an ISR configuration. ARX will also be supplying “technical support to enhance the Army’s Recce-Strike experimentation activity,” the April 15 press release states.

The experimentation with Helsing was conducted during the UK’s Haraka Storm exercise in 2025. Working in Kenya with the 2 Scots Regiment, a Gereon passed targeting data to a command post, which then carried out an engagement with the Helsing HX-2 strike drone.

ARX Robotics has had a few notable successes recently. Ukraine placed its third order for the Gereon in November last year, for example. Production of those UGVs will partly take place in Ukraine. Overall, the company expects to produce up to 1,800 UGVs per year.

Task Force RAPSTONE

Task Force RAPSTONE, which is sometimes referred to as Project RAPSTONE, was set up to rapidly procure equipment for the British Army. Its goal is to facilitate increases in lethality through novel capabilities. Its approach is informed by the UK’s aid to Ukraine. Under another task force, the British MoD rapidly delivered a range of aid to Ukraine using existing procurement structures. This showed that the MoD could move quickly given the budget and authorities to do so. RAPSTONE builds upon this experience, but with a focus on the British Army and its goal of increasing lethality.

The initial RAPSTONE outputs are expected to support WARDEV; which is where a unit will test different technologies and tactics to see how they work. The Royal Navy has a similar effort under Project BEEHIVE, which recently led to the procurement of Kraken uncrewed surface vessels.

RAPSTONE has also led to an order for Cobalt from British company Arondite. Cobalt will be integrated into the UK’s 16 Air Assault Brigade and facilitate the command and control of uncrewed platforms. If Cobalt and Gereon use is scaled to different formations within the Army, they could prove to be complementary.

Calibre comment: The British MoD is doing reasonably well in uncrewed platforms

A Combat Gereon conducts reconnaissance in Kenya during Exercise Haraka Storm. Credit: ARX Robotics.

The Ministry of Defence rarely receives any praise, which is somewhat unjustified, because it is doing quite well when it comes to uncrewed platforms. All three services have made procurements that will inform the future direction of the force:

The RAF’s StormShroud represents a sensible approach to collaborative combat aircraft. Rather than trying to bring an autonomous fighter into service, they have rapidly deployed a stand-in jammer. It is a well-defined use case that is achievable and likely to improve combat capability.

The Royal Navy is deploying uncrewed counter-mine vessels and has ordered the Kraken USVs as mentioned above. This is on top of the Peregrine UAS that was declared operational last year. The autonomous mine clearing technology is expected to be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz. And Peregrine has been active for some time, supporting a reduction in flight hours for crewed helicopters.

The British Army’s Project ASGARD developed a framework for rapidly deploying and testing new technology. The Phantom Platoon within 16 Air Assault is developing CEMA expertise, and of course the Gereon and Cobalt procurements will further unmanned systems integration.

There is a tendency in the UK to start from an assumption that things are not going well. But procurements like that of Gereon and Cobalt, and initiatives like RAPSTONE and BEEHIVE should be applauded. Yes, there is a long way to go before those technologies enter widespread use. However, that the efforts exist is the first step of an important transition for the British forces.