British forces are considering rucksack-sized, foot-launched paragliders that could allow personnel to enter hostile territory covertly from up to 200 miles away. The equipment could offer the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment a new option for stealth insertions, with low noise and reduced visual and radar signatures.

Wiltshire firm Blackcro developed the system with about £6 million of Ministry of Defence support, using a UK-made titanium frame that can carry armour, night-vision equipment and weapon mounts. It can be assembled in under eight minutes in darkness, is already under contract in the UK and other NATO countries, and is expected to be trialled by the Marines and Paras in coming months.