The British Army has taken a major step forward in battlefield awareness, receiving the first batch of next-generation Ground Based Surveillance Radars (GBSR) from Elbit Systems UK, a move set to transform how troops detect and respond to threats on the ground.
Following successful live-fire trials earlier this year, Elbit Systems UK confirmed the delivery of 55 advanced radar units to the Royal Artillery, along with full support solutions. It’s the first wave in a multi-phase rollout designed to give soldiers a sharper, faster, and more connected view of the battlefield.
Manufactured across the UK and Europe, the radar systems form part of Elbit’s renowned “detect and protect” portfolio, tailored specifically to meet the British Army’s evolving operational needs.
Eyes in the Field: Smarter, Faster, Deadlier
The GBSR serves two critical roles, surveillance and artillery fire correction.
In its surveillance capacity, the system can track and classify personnel, vehicles, helicopters, and drones, providing early warning of enemy movement while helping commanders maintain visibility over friendly forces.
For the Royal Artillery, the radar acts as a precision tool, detecting and tracking rounds in flight to adjust fire rapidly and accurately, ensuring every shot counts.
Built using open-architecture technology, the radar can evolve with future missions, integrating seamlessly with other systems to enhance adaptability and interoperability across the force.
Elbit says the technology will boost frontline survivability by giving troops faster, clearer information, a vital edge in complex and fast-moving operations.
‘A Bespoke Capability for the British Army’
Martin Fausset, Chief Executive Officer of Elbit Systems UK, hailed the delivery as a major achievement:
“GBSR will enhance the situational awareness of personnel on the ground, help keep them safer by better detecting enemy threats, and give them the advantage in locating targets,” he said.
“The programme is a great example of our Bristol team working closely with the customer to develop a bespoke capability that meets the end users’ requirements now and into the future.”
Further deliveries are expected later this year as the partnership between Elbit Systems UK and the British Army continues to strengthen, bringing state-of-the-art defence technology directly to the front lines.
