UK Soldiers Could Get Paragliders to Drop Behind Enemy Lines
Shanade James, Political reporter
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to start trials of a new paraglider for airborne troops, capable of carrying body armour, night vision equipment, and weapon mounts. These powered paragliders could allow Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment soldiers to fly up to 200 miles behind enemy lines during the night without needing to drop from aircraft.
Manufacturer Blakcro, based in Wiltshire, claims these machines can be assembled in just eight minutes and launched on foot. The MoD is investing £6m in the system, with trials scheduled to begin "in the coming months".
Luke Pollard, Defence Minister, stated: "We are building a more resilient, homegrown defence supply chain and ensuring our armed forces receive the pioneering equipment that can give them the edge on the battlefield."
These paragliders, which have a range of up to 200 miles, are expected to be used for covert operations as they are harder to detect by radar or sound compared to traditional aircraft. Powered by a fan and requiring only pilot leg power to launch, they offer a stealthy option for entering hostile territory.
Currently, other NATO member countries employ similar technology. Blakcro, founded in 2023, has received government support for two other projects and also works with the US Department of Defense.
The UK government aims to increase spending on UK-made defence equipment and include smaller companies in the supply chain. This follows Chancellor John Healey's resignation from Sir Keir Starmer's government over disagreements regarding defence investment plans. While Healey accused the previous administration of lacking a clear timetable for reaching the 3% national income defence spending target, he is anticipated to increase spending further in his upcoming Budget.
A government spokesperson noted: "The prime minister and chancellor are committed to fully funding the defence investment plan... We will set out a pathway to meet our NATO commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035."