Sweden Becomes First European Buyer of Textron’s Ripsaw M3 Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Howe & Howe, a Textron Inc. division, has secured a contract to deliver its Ripsaw M3 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to Sweden, marking the country as the first European operator of the American-made platform. Textron announced the deal in an official statement but did not disclose the contract value, vehicle quantity, or delivery timeline.

The company emphasized that the Ripsaw family’s tracked design and high mobility make it well-suited for Northern Europe’s challenging terrain and harsh weather. The Ripsaw line dates back to 2000, when it was developed privately by the Howe brothers before their firm was acquired by Textron. The U.S. military first took interest in 2001, commissioning the MS1 prototype for $200,000.

Over the years, the platform has evolved into multiple variants, culminating in the M5 model—unveiled in 2019 and later tested by the U.S. Army with a 30mm cannon controlled from a Bradley fighting vehicle. The M3 variant selected by Sweden debuted in 2013 and can be configured with a range of mission modules.

However, references to a “transport UGV” in the announcement suggest Sweden will field a logistics-focused version rather than an armed model. The M3 is a substantial system, weighing roughly 5,900 kg and capable of carrying more than 2,200 kg of cargo at speeds up to 48 km/h.

While nations like Ukraine increasingly rely on small, low-cost UGVs for resupply and casualty evacuation, the practicality of deploying heavier platforms like the M3—or the 10-ton M5—remains an open question. Their size, cost, and vulnerability in drone-saturated battlefields raise concerns about whether militaries may achieve greater value by fielding larger numbers of smaller, expendable systems instead.