TL;DR

The MOD has awarded a contract worth up to £86 million to UK-based BlackTree Technologies for AI-capable tactical communication systems. The Dismounted Data System (DDS) includes radios, headsets, and tablets that speed up reconnaissance and intelligence data delivery to soldiers on the ground.

What the System Does

The DDS links all soldiers to the same network, providing precise information on surroundings and intelligence — including clearer identification of enemies and comrades. The system can deliver voice, visual data, or a combination depending on the situation.

The equipment has already been tested by soldiers deployed in Estonia on NATO’s eastern flank. Testing showed that the visual information element helped soldiers stay focused despite loud battlefield noise, reducing distraction and improving situational awareness.

Built by a UK SME

The contract was awarded to BlackTree Technologies, a British SME with bases in Tewkesbury, Hereford, and Birmingham. The deal creates 12 new jobs and supports the government’s target of spending an additional £2.5 billion with UK SMEs through to May 2028, taking total annual MOD spending with small and medium businesses to £7.5 billion.

An initial £46 million has been committed, with options for a further £40 million. Equipment delivery begins in September, with full rollout planned by 2027.

Defence Spending Context

The contract sits within the government’s commitment to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War — reaching 2.6% of GDP from 2027. Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the technology “will make our soldiers more integrated and more lethal,” adding that the work “shows that our move to warfighting readiness is being seized as an opportunity to make defence an engine for growth in the UK.”