One Soldier, One Bot, Zero Risk: British Army Trials WEEVIL Tank Plough for Future Combat Zones

London, United Kingdom - The British Army is on track to retire danger from minefields, one remote-controlled beast at a time. Developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in collaboration with Pearson Engineering, WEEVIL is a cutting-edge remote-controlled mine plough system designed to lead the charge—literally—through the deadliest terrains without putting soldiers at risk.

The current prototype of WEEVIL is based on the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle and is fitted with a full-width mine plough, a remote operations system, and battlefield cameras. Unlike traditional systems such as the TROJAN armoured vehicle—requiring a three-person crew operating within the kill zone—WEEVIL can be controlled by a single soldier stationed miles away, watching its every move through high-definition visuals while it bulldozes deadly obstacles out of the way.Built-inn Britain, Built for War

Pearson Engineering, based in northeast England, provided the mechanical muscle to Dstl’s technological brainchild. Together, they engineered a minefield-breaching system that’s not just safe and remote but fast—significantly faster than current legacy systems. The goal: is to speed up battlefield breakthroughs and ensure British troops don’t get bogged down in mine-infested zones while racing toward enemy lines or mission-critical objectives.

What’s more, the WEEVIL system is designed with future flexibility in mind. Though it's currently mounted on a Warrior chassis, it’s expected to be compatible with a wide range of vehicles, which would allow frontline commanders to adapt it to specific operational theatres, from European plains to Middle Eastern deserts.

War Lessons from Ukraine: A Tech-Driven Response

The brutal trench and mine warfare witnessed in Ukraine has amplified global concerns over minefields being used to halt armoured advances and delay infantry movement. The UK MOD’s response: invest in autonomy, survivability, and speed. WEEVIL is the poster child of that doctrine shift.

Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, summed it up: “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.” With billions pouring into defence modernisation and a clear push for uncrewed systems, WEEVIL represents a leap toward a combat future where robots take the brunt, not troops.

Money Where the Mines Are

In his Spring Statement, the Chancellor unveiled an additional £2.2 billion for defence in 2025-26. That figure adds to the already pledged increase that aims to push UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Importantly, at least 10% of MOD’s equipment budget will now be locked in for next-gen capabilities—AI, uncrewed vehicles, dual-use systems like WEEVIL.

Major Andrew Maggs, Dstl’s military advisor who spearheaded the WEEVIL initiative, emphasized its relevance: “It’s the perfect combination of proven tech and modern innovation. Missions where time and safety are critical—this is where WEEVIL thrives.”

Next Steps: Push the Bot to Its Limits

The prototype has already been trialled on surrogate minefields in Newcastle. With concept validation complete, it’s now being handed over to the British Army for extended trials. The military will be running WEEVIL through the wringer to test its endurance, accuracy, and responsiveness in combat-like scenarios.

Ian Bell, CEO of Pearson Engineering, called the system a game-changer: “We’ve built this on decades of experience. It’s British engineering at its most purpose-driven—keep our soldiers alive and breach faster.”

WEEVIL is not just another piece of kit; it’s a doctrine shift in steel and circuitry. As threats evolve and mines remain one of the most insidious tools of attrition warfare, the British Army is banking on innovation, not manpower, to punch through. If the trials go as planned, don’t be surprised if WEEVIL leads the next real-world breach—minus the risk.

Watch- Weevil: Remote-controlled mine plough explainer