No Troops, No Problem: Spain Debuts ‘Europe’s First’ Unmanned Military Convoy
Sener’s Naviground system uses AI to autonomously coordinate military convoys, enabling synchronized, human-free navigation and last-mile logistics operations.
Human drivers may soon take a back seat in Europe’s military convoys, with AI stepping in to command the helm.
Spanish firm Sener Aerospace and Defence wrapped up three years of demonstrations showcasing its Naviground system, an autonomous solution designed to streamline military logistics.
During the demos, autonomous vehicles carried out coordinated maneuvers, following a lead vehicle in convoy formation, while a last-mile shuttle based on Italy’s Iveco platforms completed the final section of the route.
The AI-powered system handled navigation and perception, keeping the convoy in sync without human intervention.
In a social media post, Sener called the Naviground system a “decisive step forward in the autonomy and efficiency of logistical convoys for land operations.”
The tests were part of the COMMANDS project, funded by the European Defence Fund, which aims to integrate autonomous systems into military operations across Europe.
Multi-Company Coordination
Naviground connects with Indra’s Battle Management System, which is then integrated onto General Dynamics’ ASCOD armored vehicles.
This allows both crewed and uncrewed vehicles to share data securely, maintain clear situational awareness, and move in coordinated formations while operating under NATO digital architecture standards.
“This achievement, driven from Spain, strengthens Europe’s defense capabilities and marks a step change in tactical mobility and coordination across allied operations,” Sener stated.
Automating Military Logistics
COMMANDS, short for Convoy Operations with Manned-Unmanned Systems, was launched with input from defense operators across six EU member states: Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
The project’s final run, held in Seville, Spain, was attended by European defense ministries, witnessing Naviground’s initial operational capabilities.
“Every development was guided by military end-user needs, driving forward autonomous technologies and harnessing AI to enhance performance,” COMMANDS project team noted.
