British soldiers could soon use powered paragliders to travel deep behind enemy lines, under a new £6 million defence programme aimed at giving UK forces greater mobility and flexibility.
The backpack-sized machines could allow troops from the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment to reach hostile areas without relying on traditional aircraft.
The powered gliders can travel as far as 200 miles, according to their manufacturer, Wiltshire-based Blakcro. The company says troops can assemble the machines in about eight minutes and launch them on foot.
The Ministry of Defence has committed £6 million to the system, with trials expected to begin in the coming months.
Powered Paragliders Could Transform Military Operations
The new equipment could give British troops another way to move through difficult and hostile environments.
Unlike conventional aircraft, the powered paragliders are small and lightweight. They can also carry equipment such as body armour, night-vision devices and weapon mounts.
Blakcro says the titanium-framed machines could help troops enter hostile territory without attracting as much attention as traditional aircraft.
The company claims the gliders are harder to detect by radar and produce less sound than conventional aircraft.
However, troops would still need to launch the machines on foot. A fan provides the power once the paraglider takes off.
UK Defence Trials Set to Begin
The Ministry of Defence plans to begin trials of the technology in the coming months.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government wants to strengthen Britain’s domestic defence industry while giving the armed forces access to innovative equipment.
He said the government was building a more resilient, homegrown defence supply chain and ensuring that British forces receive equipment that can provide an advantage on the battlefield.
The technology has already attracted interest beyond Britain. Other NATO member states currently use powered paragliding systems for military purposes.
Blakcro Works With US Defence Department
Blakcro, the company developing the machines, was founded in 2023 and currently employs 11 people.
Despite its small size, the Wiltshire-based firm has already received government support for two other projects.
The company also works with the U.S. Department of Defense, highlighting the growing interest in lightweight systems that can help troops operate in challenging environments.
The British government has increasingly called for smaller domestic companies to play a larger role in the country’s defence supply chain.
Government Faces Pressure to Increase Defence Spending
The powered paraglider project comes as the UK government faces pressure to increase defence spending.
Chancellor John Healey has previously pushed for greater investment in Britain’s armed forces. As defence secretary, he criticised the government over the lack of a clear timetable for reaching higher defence spending levels.
The government has since said it intends to increase defence spending as part of its long-term plans.
However, ministers are not expected to announce the full details in the first Budget scheduled for October. Instead, the government plans to outline a revised defence strategy during a wider spending review in the spring.
UK Targets Higher NATO Defence Spending
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting NATO defence spending targets.
A government spokesperson said the first responsibility of the government was to protect citizens.
The spokesperson also said the prime minister and chancellor remained committed to fully funding the defence investment plan.
According to the government, the spending review will set out a path toward meeting the UK’s NATO commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. It will also establish a target date for reaching 3% along that path.
For British troops, the powered paraglider project represents one example of how the military could adopt smaller and more flexible technologies.
If trials prove successful, the machines could eventually give specialist troops another option for reaching remote or difficult areas without depending entirely on conventional aircraft.
