Who we are
Ratel Robotics was registered in Tallinn on 16 March 2023. The company builds one product: a small electric ground vehicle that takes weight off an infantry squad. A full-size prototype drives today, and the next build goes to customer field testing.
StructureFour shareholders hold equal stakes. Decisions move directly from discussion to the workshop.
Built in EuropeDesigned, fabricated and assembled in Estonia, an EU, NATO and eurozone member state.
Dual-use designThe same platform carries a squad’s stores or an agricultural sensor rig, so both markets draw on one development programme.
Grant-funded and pre-revenueThe Estonian Ministry of Defence funded the 2025 development round, and an EAS regional development project (2021-2027.1.01.25-1260) runs to 31 July 2026. The company has no revenue yet and is open to seed investment and to consortium partners.
Team
Rain-Alari Külm
Founder and CEO. Former Kaitseliit platoon leader with a public-sector IT background.
Aadu Simm
Chassis and running gear. A water engineer by training, he designed the chassis, suspension and drivetrain layout over three years before the company existed.
Vjatšeslav Andritski
Manufacturing. Over thirty years in metals and production, working on how the design gets built repeatably.
Joosep Simm
Software and control. Control systems, teleoperation, and the autonomy stack now in development.
On the name
Ratel is the honey badger. Mäger is the Estonian name for the same animal.
Estonian public broadcaster ERR used Mäger when the vehicle first appeared on television in October 2025. The product is marketed internationally as Badger.
Partners and funding
Estonian Ministry of DefenceDefence industry R&D development grant, awarded in the 2025 round and paid in November 2025. One of fourteen projects selected from thirty-one applications.
BatcommsEstonian communications modules, integrated into the platform since November 2025.
Tehnopol Defence Business LabDefence pre-accelerator at Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol.
Defence EstoniaMember of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association cluster.
Looking for a UGV platform partner? We bring the vehicle to consortia — chassis, drivetrain, power and teleoperation — and integrate partner sensors, communications or effectors onto it. As an SME, our participation also raises the funding rate for the consortium. Write to sales@ratelrobotics.eu.
Company details
- Legal name
- Ratel Robotics OÜ
- Registry code
- 16697173
- VAT
- EE102628717
- Founded
- 16 March 2023
- Address
- Oda tn 4-45, Tallinn 10415, Estonia
- Jurisdiction
- Estonia — European Union, NATO, eurozone
- Sales
- sales@ratelrobotics.eu