Leonardo DRS to build counter-drone radars in Britain

Leonardo DRS has set up a British subsidiary and opened a purpose-built factory in the United Kingdom to build the tactical radars it sells for spotting drones, rockets and mortar rounds.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company announced the new unit, called DRS UK, on Oct. 5. It said the site will handle full local production of its tactical radars and serve as the hub for that business across the UK and Europe. The company did not say where the factory is, how much it cost, how many people it will employ or when the first UK-built radars will be delivered.

The radars are designed to detect, track and classify threats in the air and on the ground, including drones and incoming rockets, artillery and mortars. They are used for counter-drone defense, short-range air defense, base protection and active protection systems, which shoot down missiles and rockets fired at armored vehicles.

Leonardo DRS said more than 10,000 radar panels are now in service with the U.S. military, NATO allies and other customers.

“Establishing DRS UK and launching a full local tactical radar capability, strengthens our ability to support customers and partners with the proximity, responsiveness and manufacturing capacity needed to meet evolving operational requirements,” said John Baylouny, president and chief executive officer of Leonardo DRS.

The radar line came to Leonardo DRS through its merger with Israel’s RADA Electronic Industries, agreed in 2022. RADA built a family of compact, software-defined radars, led by the Multi-mission Hemispheric Radar. A single unit covers a 120-degree arc, and four together give full overhead coverage. The radar can work on the move and is small enough to mount on tactical vehicles.

The U.S. Army uses the Multi-mission Hemispheric Radar on its Stryker-based short-range air defense vehicles, built to protect armored formations from drones and aircraft. The radars also have a history in Britain: in 2018, RADA radars were integrated into Rafael’s anti-drone system for the British Army’s counter-drone capability.

Leonardo DRS is the U.S. arm of Italy’s Leonardo, which already has a large British business building helicopters, electronics and sensors.

The company framed the UK factory as a way to work more closely with British prime contractors and system integrators, which build the vehicles and air defense systems that carry its radars. It also said the site will support future exports.

“By establishing this local capacity, we are creating high-value engineering and manufacturing opportunities while positioning DRS UK to support future export growth and deliver greater value to customers across the UK and Europe,” said Max Cohen, senior vice president and general manager overseeing the company’s tactical radar portfolio.