The purpose-built facility gives Leonardo DRS a dedicated manufacturing presence serving UK defense customers, industry partners and system integrators. The company said the investment would strengthen support for long-term UK programs and help it respond to changing operational requirements.
Local production to support UK and European customers
DRS UK will serve as a hub for the company’s tactical radar business in Britain and Europe. Its radar portfolio supports counter-drone operations, air defense, force protection and active protection systems.
The radars detect, track and classify airborne and ground threats, including unmanned aircraft, rockets, artillery and mortars. Leonardo DRS said more than 10,000 radar panels have been deployed worldwide, serving the U.S. Armed Forces, NATO allies and other international 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. “This investment enables closer collaboration with UK industry partners and integrators to deliver counter-UAS, air defence and force protection capabilities that help protect the warfighter.”
Radars complement a broader counter-drone portfolio
Leonardo DRS says its tactical expeditionary radars can each handle hundreds of targets simultaneously and operate automatically through advanced signal processing. Their high Doppler resolution supports rapid detection and classification, with the company reporting an ability to track nano drones at distances of up to 18 kilometers.
The radars can be installed on a range of vehicles or configured for standalone use. That flexibility allows them to support different operational applications within the company’s sensing portfolio.
Leonardo DRS also supplies counter-drone systems designed to detect, identify, track and defeat Group 1–3 unmanned aircraft. Its Directed Energy Counter-UAS Stryker combines a high-energy laser with kinetic and non-kinetic technologies, advanced sensors, precision rockets and a 30mm weapon system.
The company’s separate Single Vehicle C-UAS Stryker incorporates Coyote missiles for longer-range engagements and 30mm capabilities. It also integrates with FAAD C2 to improve situational awareness and can provide simultaneous protection against improvised explosive devices and unmanned aircraft.
European procurement offers opportunities amid strong competition
The UK investment positions Leonardo DRS to pursue contracts beyond the British market. Its radars’ operational service with U.S. forces and NATO allies provides an established record as the company seeks additional European customers.
Most European and NATO countries are preparing or have already launched procurement programs for drone-detection radars. Those programs offer sales opportunities, but competition is strong and European Union financing instruments favor equipment sourced from European suppliers.
Local manufacturing gives Leonardo DRS greater proximity to UK customers and a base for closer cooperation with industrial partners and integrators. The company also sees the operation as a means of strengthening its supply chain and supporting future exports.
“Our investment in UK-based manufacturing for advanced sensing technologies reinforces the industrial capability, supply chain resilience and skilled workforce needed to support critical defence priorities,” said Max Cohen, senior vice president and general manager overseeing DRS’s tactical radar portfolio. “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.”
