A ROBOT mine sweeper is set to be sent to clear battlefields within years.

The remote controlled device is being put through its paces by British soldiers.

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Fitted to the front of a Warrior armoured infantry vehicle, it uses a massive plough to dig up lethal explosives buried in the ground - and can be controlled from miles away.

Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: “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.

“It demonstrates British innovation, by British organisations, to protect British troops.”

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The prototype robot - called Weevil - has been developed by the armed forces’ Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Tyneside firm Pearson Engineering.

Army chiefs say the robot - seen being put through its paces on a dummy minefield near Newcastle - will help soldiers clear a path through dangerous minefields more quickly than existing kit.

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Current mine-clearing equipment includes the Trojan armoured vehicle.

Equipped with a massive digger arm, each tank costs around £4million and needs a three person crew to operate it.

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Dstl Military Advisor Major Andrew Maggs, who pioneered Weevil, said: “It 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.”

It comes after German military hardware firm ARX Robotics announced it will build its new battlefield drone in Britain.

The Gereon robot can carry weights of half a tonne up to 25 miles and run for 72 hours a single charge.

Former head of the army Lord Dannatt told The Telegraph: “We’ve seen how glide bombs and attack drones have changed the battlefield as opposed to conventional artillery, and we have been using robotic mini tanks for years.

“The question is, why send a man where a machine can go?”