On June 12, 2025, the US company L3Harris Technologies announced that Belgium’s Ministry of Defence had awarded a contract for the supply of 14 T4 medium-sized robots for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations. The agreement covers platform delivery, in-country support, operator training, maintenance, and configuration enhancements tailored for counter-IED missions.

These T4 unmanned systems are intended to improve the ability of Belgian military personnel to inspect and neutralize ground-based explosive threats without direct exposure. L3Harris confirmed that the T4 robots already support the UK Ministry of Defence, the United States Air Force, and the Australian Defence Force. With this procurement, Belgium joins a group of armed forces deploying this unmanned platform, developed for a wide spectrum of EOD, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), and tactical response operations.

The T4 robotic system is a 70-kilogram unmanned ground vehicle with a runtime exceeding four hours and speed above 8 km/h, powered by six BB-2590 batteries. The chassis is equipped with a skid steer track system that enables movement over stairs, slopes above 45 degrees, and lateral inclines exceeding 30 degrees. The system is sealed to IP66 standards and supports operation in environments ranging from –20°C to +60°C. It includes electromagnetic interference shielding, which permits use alongside electronic countermeasures. The platform features multiple cameras: two for driving (front and rear), a PTZ mast camera with 120x zoom, and a zoomable camera on the gripper. Communication range is over 1,000 meters in line-of-sight and 200 meters in non-line-of-sight conditions. The system supports deployment with a communications tether and includes mounting points for accessories such as disruptors, CBRNE sensors, and power tools.

Manipulator specifications include an 80-centimeter horizontal reach and 98-centimeter vertical reach, with lift capacity of 55 kilograms close to the chassis and 20 kilograms at full extension. The arm includes a force-sensing gripper with a non-conductive wire cutter. The platform can carry up to three disruptors simultaneously, including two large disruptors such as PAN, PIGSTICK, HOTROD, or RE70. The manipulator is stabilized by an omni-directional system and is designed for self-righting. Control of the robot is provided via a haptic feedback controller, which weighs 16 kilograms and offers over six hours of runtime. The controller mirrors the operator’s hand motions to facilitate complex manipulations, and includes standard and user-defined manipulator presets, a motion rewind function, and a daylight-visible display. T4 also shares a common controller with the T7 robotic system, allowing for interoperable missions and reduced training and logistical costs.

Belgium`s national EOD force, known as SEDEE/DOVO (Service d’Enlèvement et de Destruction d’Engins Explosifs / Dienst voor Opruiming en Vernietiging van Ontploffingstuigen), operates under the Land Component and comprises 280 personnel, including 164 certified bomb disposal specialists. The unit is organized into three companies located in Oud-Heverlee, Poelkapelle, and Zeebruges. SEDEE/DOVO performs removal and destruction of conventional munitions, handles IEDs, and conducts interventions involving chemical ordnance dating back to the First World War. The unit is equipped with several remote-controlled ground systems, including Telemax UGVs and miniature visual inspection robots. For underwater EOD operations, SEDEE/DOVO employs six Exail R7 remotely operated vehicles equipped with multibeam sonar, the Orphie 12S camera, inertial navigation, Doppler velocity loggers, and ultra-short baseline tracking systems. These are deployed from naval platforms such as the M921 Lobelia, which supports NATO mine countermeasure operations.

In addition to robotic systems, Belgian EOD operators are issued protective equipment such as the EOD-9 bomb suit, which weighs approximately 40 kilograms and includes integrated lighting, cooling, and ballistic protection. Other tools include SparX radiographic imaging systems, non-recoiling disruptors such as the RE70 M3+, long-range wireless initiators like the BREACH MC (VHF/UHF up to 500 meters), and non-magnetic manual toolkits. Vehicles used by the unit include EOD variants of the LAPV Enok, which are STANAG 4569 Level 2 protected and configured to carry EOD suits, robots, and detection systems. Dedicated SEDEE trucks feature GPS, onboard firefighting tools, and specialized loading systems. The Navy’s minehunters further extend SEDEE’s capabilities into maritime environments, while a team of divers conducts underwater interventions for munitions clearance and crash site recovery in national waters.

The T4 systems are expected to reduce task completion times by approximately 20 percent based on customer testing data. Their modularity enables adaptation for different operational scenarios, while their resistance to harsh environments and ease of maintenance contribute to operational availability. The robot supports the use of high-power tools and is compatible with large-caliber disruptors for defeating heavily built targets. The acquisition supports existing efforts within the Belgian Armed Forces to reduce operator risk and improve EOD efficiency through automation. According to published research, Belgium also maintains involvement in developing robotic and autonomous systems such as the BELGIAN program, which explores semi-autonomous and AI-integrated robotic solutions for national defense applications. These research efforts focus on achieving coordinated use of heterogeneous robotic platforms and improving decision-making capabilities in complex environments.

Historically, SEDEE was established in 1918 after the First World War to remove unexploded munitions, which were widely scattered across Belgian territory. It was formalized as a permanent unit in 1923, underwent restructuring during and after the Second World War, and was reorganized in 1974 in response to increasing threats from terrorism and residual wartime ordnance. Since 2000, SEDEE has operated under COMOPSLAND following the dissolution of the Interforces Territorial Command. Its scope includes support for police and judicial authorities, readiness for post-crash aircraft recovery missions, and contributions to international operations for troop protection and humanitarian demining. In recent years, SEDEE has handled approximately 3,500 EOD requests annually, removing and neutralizing an estimated 250 tons of munitions, including 10 tons of chemical or problem munitions, mostly discovered in the Westhoek region.

The contract with L3Harris marks the latest addition to SEDEE/DOVO’s evolving technical inventory. It is designed to expand operational safety, enable greater manipulation capabilities in hazardous contexts, and facilitate coordination across robotic assets. With a system optimized for deployment in urban and austere environments, Belgium’s investment in T4 robots provides compatibility with future developments in EOD automation and reinforces interoperability with partner nations operating similar systems. The full integration of T4 units, supported by local training and maintenance, is expected to reduce long-term lifecycle costs, improve mission execution, and enhance the resilience of Belgium’s national EOD force under current and emerging threat conditions.