General Atomics

Blighter wins ground surveillance radars contract

Blighter has won a contract to supply its ground surveillance radars and BlighterNexus AI-assisted software to an undisclosed Eastern European Army to protect the country’s national borders.



Above: The B400 radar.
Courtesy Blighter


According to Blighter, its B400 series low power (4 Watts) and very low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) radars, will be deployed imminently to fixed locations along the country’s borders and integrated onto army reconnaissance vehicles to provide a flexible mobile surveillance solution. Blighter radars operate 24 hours a day and 365 days per year in all weather, including dense fog, to detect, classify, and track targets including people, vehicles, and near-ground airborne threats at ranges of up to 32 kilometres.

The BlighterNexus software will be installed to ensure the radars are seamlessly integrated with the Army’s command-and-control (C2) networks, operator interfaces, and third-party sensors to deliver a unified display or common operating picture (COP) across multiple border regions.

James Long, Blighter’s CEO, said: “Following a record order book in 2025, we are delighted to secure another border surveillance contract in Europe adding to our recent successes in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. 

“We will continue to target new business at home and abroad through our growing sales force and by forging strategic partnerships. Attendance at international trade shows will continue to be a priority starting with this week’s Security and Policing Exhibition, where we are scheduled to meet with several overseas delegations, including other Central and Eastern European countries, as well as those from the Middle and Far East.”

Later this week, Blighter will showcase its border and coastal surveillance radars and its counter-drone (CUAS) solutions at Security & Policing, which is the official UK Government global security event, takes place at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 10th-12th March 2026. Hosted by the Home Office’s Joint Security & Resilience Centre (JSaRC) the event offers an opportunity to meet and discuss national security issues with leading UK suppliers, UK and overseas Government officials and senior decision makers across the law enforcement and security sectors. The event features 400+ exhibitors, delegations from over 40 countries and nearly 10,000 visitors are anticipated.

Blighter radars are used by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for forward operating base (FOB) protection, the South Korean Army for border surveillance along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the United States Air Force for drone detection, Five Eyes/NATO customers for deployment on their mobile surveillance and armoured vehicles and major UK airports for perimeter protection.

Blighter supports international systems integrators in creating layered, multi-sensor surveillance systems and can facilitate localised manufacture. Over 800 radar units have been deployed in more than 40 countries, with Blighter solutions used for surveillance projects among Defence, Homeland Security, Critical National Infrastructure and Energy sectors worldwide.

Related

CAA cuts red tape to accelerate airspace modernisation and support drone innovation
UK airspace modernisation NATS
CAA cuts red tape to accelerate airspace modernisation and support drone innovation
The UK CAA is streamlining its CAP1616 airspace change process, cutting regulatory burdens for modernisation, drones and new aviation technologies.
Aerospace

15 Sep 2026

Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
GTR Composites Group assembly
Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
The company has rebranded to reflect its development as a composite engineering specialist, delivering solutions for sectors including aerospace and defence.
Digital Catapult launches Industry Challenge Led Accelerator
UK Digital Twin Centre
Digital Catapult launches Industry Challenge Led Accelerator
The new Digital Catapult programme enables UK SMEs to connect with industry leaders to accelerate digital twin adoption and explore the application of deep tech innovations in the aerospace and defence sectors.
DVD2026: Five key defence trends shaping the British Army’s future
Image: DVD
DVD2026: Five key defence trends shaping the British Army’s future
From vehicle modernisation and autonomous warfare to digital integration and a new approach to SME access, DVD2026 is set to offer some important clues about where the UK Armed Forces’ land capability and procurement projects are heading.
Defence Events

15 Sep 2026

British Army riflemen test new anti-drone tactics
Riflemen shooting down drones
British Army riflemen test new anti-drone tactics
Soldiers from the British Army have trialled a new approach to countering drone threats, combining acoustic and radio frequency sensors, section weapons and the Mossberg 590M shotgun, to detect, track and neutralise attack drones.
Defence

15 Sep 2026

Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
GTR Composites Group assembly
Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
The company has rebranded to reflect its development as a composite engineering specialist, delivering solutions for sectors including aerospace and defence.
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
5G NTN
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected AccelerComm to help build one of Europe's first regenerative 5G base stations that directly run onboard satellites, shifting away from today's 'bent-pipe' satellites that simply relay signals back to the ground.
Member News Space

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora engine test
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora has conducted hot fire testing of its LEO engine at its Midlothian facility in Loanhead, demonstrating the potential of stronger, lightweight parts for future propulsion systems.
Member News Space

11 Sep 2026

UK defence tech firms struggle to turn successful trials into contracts
British Army
UK defence tech firms struggle to turn successful trials into contracts
A Barclays report finds strong confidence among UK defence tech firms but warns procurement and finance barriers are making it harder for companies to scale.
Defence Security

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
Isembard's global HQ and factory in Southwark
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
By opening the capital's largest factory since the Second World War in Southwark, Isembard is establishing a global head office that will also serve as a working precision factory that will enhance sovereign capability and deliver solutions for aerospace, defence and robotics customers, worldwide.
Aerospace Defence Security

14 Sep 2026