Defence Online

Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early

Land February 19, 2026

The British Army has accelerated the procurement of the SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System, awarding an £18.3 million contract to Leonardo UK five years ahead of its original schedule.

This fast-tracked acquisition, managed by the Land ISTAR Team in coordination with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Task Force RAPSTONE, ensures that the capability will be deployed to frontline personnel within the next 12 months. The contract is a key deliverable under the government’s commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and aligns with the Army’s broader strategic objective to double its lethality by 2027.

The SONUS system is designed to provide personnel with a critical layer of protection by detecting and locating the source of gunfire, mortars, and explosions via acoustic pressure waves. A primary advantage of this technology is its passive operation; unlike active radar, SONUS does not emit an electronic signature, allowing units to remain covert while identifying hostile positions. The platform is approximately 70% lighter than the equipment it replaces and can be fully deployed in under three minutes. These technical improvements facilitate greater mobility and faster response times for the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the Army’s dedicated surveillance and target acquisition unit.

For the UK defence supply chain, this project represents a substantial investment in domestic industrial capability. The contract sustains 250 high-skilled jobs across the country, with significant activity concentrated at Leonardo’s facility in Basildon. Furthermore, the programme incorporates 29 UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its supply chain. This inclusion of a broad network of sub-contractors reflects the priorities outlined in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which seek to utilise defence procurement as a primary engine for national economic growth while strengthening the sovereign industrial base.

The accelerated delivery of SONUS marks a shift in MoD acquisition policy, moving away from lengthy procurement cycles to address emerging threats more rapidly. By modernising the approach to acquisition and reducing administrative bureaucracy, the Army has successfully pulled forward a critical capability that was originally not expected for several years. As the system enters operational service, the ongoing collaboration between the prime contractor and its SME partners will be essential for life-cycle support and future technical iterations. This contract provides a stable outlook for the Land ISTAR programme and confirms the government’s commitment to fielding innovative, battle-proven technologies that enhance the safety and effectiveness of the British Armed Forces.

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.