The British Army is set to enhance the safety of its soldiers with a new remote-controlled mine plough system designed to clear minefields quickly and effectively, reducing the risk to personnel on the front lines.
Developed collaboratively by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Pearson Engineering Ltd, the WEEVIL mine plough is a cutting-edge system that will be tested by the British Army in upcoming trials. This innovative technology is designed to clear explosive devices from minefields, allowing troops to move more rapidly and safely towards key objectives.
Revolutionising Mine-Clearing Capabilities
The WEEVIL system is a major advancement over current mine-clearing methods. Unlike the TROJAN Armoured Vehicle, which requires a three-person crew to operate directly in hazardous areas, WEEVIL can be operated by a single soldier from several miles away using advanced remote control technology. The system is mounted on the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle and features a full-width mine plough, along with vehicle-mounted cameras for enhanced visibility and control.
The ability to remotely operate the device provides a significant safety advantage by keeping soldiers out of the danger zone, reducing their exposure to potentially lethal mines.
Future Potential and Ongoing Trials
The system is adaptable and can be fitted to various military vehicles, making it a versatile addition to the Army’s mine-clearing operations. The trials are expected to provide valuable data to further develop and refine the system, with the British Army eager to optimise and modernise its capabilities in response to evolving threats, such as the widespread use of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in modern conflicts like the Ukraine war.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, highlighted the significance of the new technology, saying,
“It won’t be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harm’s way to clear minefields. This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.”
A Boost to Defence Innovation
The introduction of the WEEVIL mine plough is part of the UK government’s broader push to invest in novel technologies and autonomous systems within defence. In the 2025 Spring Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an additional £2.2 billion for defence spending in 2025/26, alongside a commitment to reach 3% of GDP in defence spending by the next Parliament.
The government’s investment strategy also focuses on accelerating the procurement of dual-use technologies, AI-enabled capabilities, and uncrewed systems, with at least 10% of the Ministry of Defence’s equipment budget allocated to such technologies from 2025-26.
Pioneering Collaboration
Major Andrew Maggs, a military advisor with Dstl, who played a key role in developing WEEVIL, said:
“WEEVIL is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements. By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, we’re able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.”
Ian Bell, CEO of Pearson Engineering, expressed pride in the partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence, saying,
“We are proud to contribute to such game-changing capability. It brings together decades of development by Pearson Engineering, delivering the very best of minefield breaching technology and contemporary developments in teleoperation.”
The WEEVIL prototype has already undergone successful trials on a surrogate minefield in Newcastle, and the system is now being passed to the British Army for further development. This collaborative effort aims to provide the Army with next-generation solutions for mine-clearing in future operations.
