UK soldiers could get paragliders to drop behind enemy lines

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) will begin trials of a new powered paraglider that could allow airborne troops to fly up to 200 miles behind enemy lines. The system, developed by Wiltshire‑based Blakcro, is designed to give Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment soldiers a covert, foot‑launched alternative to aircraft drops for night operations. The MoD is funding the project at £6 million and plans to start testing in the coming months.

Blakcro’s paragliders are backpack‑sized and can be assembled in about eight minutes. They are powered by a small fan and have a titanium frame that makes them difficult to detect by radar or sound. Each unit can carry body armour, night‑vision equipment and weapon mounts, enabling soldiers to enter hostile territory with minimal equipment while remaining largely invisible to enemy sensors. The range of 200 miles would allow troops to reach deep positions without needing a larger aircraft or helicopter.

The Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, said the project was part of the government’s effort to build a “more resilient, home‑grown defence supply chain” and to give the armed forces equipment that could give them an edge on the battlefield. He added that the new gliders would be part of a broader push to increase the share of UK‑made defence technology in the military’s procurement.

Blakcro, founded in 2023, employs 11 people and has received government support for two other projects. The company also works with the U.S. Department of Defence and has seen its technology adopted by other NATO members. The MoD’s investment in the paraglider system is one of several initiatives aimed at boosting domestic defence manufacturing and diversifying the supply chain.

The trials will involve Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment units and will test the gliders’ performance in realistic operational scenarios. The system’s foot‑launch capability means soldiers can deploy from a concealed position without the need for an aircraft, potentially reducing the risk of detection and increasing operational flexibility at night.

The move comes as the UK government faces pressure to raise defence spending to meet NATO’s 3 % of gross domestic product (GDP) target. Chancellor John Healey, who resigned from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government over its defence investment plans, has pledged to increase spending but has not yet outlined a detailed budget. A revised defence plan is expected to be released as part of a wider government spending review in the spring, with the government saying it will set out a pathway to meet the 3.5 % of GDP commitment by 2035 and to hit a 3 % target on that path.

The MoD’s decision to fund the paraglider trials reflects a broader strategy to enhance the UK’s military capabilities through advanced, low‑visibility technology. By enabling soldiers to fly deep into enemy territory on foot‑launched, fan‑powered gliders, the armed forces hope to increase operational reach while maintaining stealth and reducing reliance on larger aircraft. The upcoming trials will determine whether the system can meet the operational requirements of the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment and whether it can be integrated into the wider British military strategy.