UK soldiers could get paragliders to drop behind enemy lines
The UK Ministry of Defence is investing £6 million to trial powered paragliders that allow airborne troops to infiltrate hostile territory covertly. These backpack-sized units can be assembled quickly and offer a range of up to 200 miles, providing a tactical advantage for special forces.
Why it matters
The adoption of low-cost, portable aerial technology represents a shift toward more agile and stealth-focused military operations.
Image source, Blakcro Image caption, The MoD is set to start trials of a new paraglider for airborne troops
British soldiers could soon be given powered paragliders to enable them to fly up to 200 miles behind enemy lines.
The backpack-sized gliders mean Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment troops could fly into hostile areas during the night without the need to drop from aircraft.
Manufacturer Blakcro, which is based in Wiltshire, say the machines can be assembled in eight minutes and launched on foot.
The Ministry of Defence is spending £6m on the system, with trials set to begin "in the coming months".
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government was 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".
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