Published on 14 February 2026, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the British Army has awarded Leonardo UK a £18.3m contract to deliver SONUS, an acoustic weapon‑detection system, five years earlier than planned. The deal sustains around 250 jobs nationwide and involves 29 SMEs, with equipment due to reach frontline units within 12 months. (gov.uk)

SONUS detects the acoustic pressure waves from gunfire, mortars and explosions. The MOD says the kit is about 70% lighter than the legacy system, deploys in under three minutes and, crucially, works passively, reducing electronic emissions while improving the speed and accuracy of target identification. (gov.uk)

Initial deliveries are earmarked for 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the Army’s Surveillance and Target Acquisition specialists in Catterick. With an established counter‑fires mission, the regiment provides a natural home for a passive locator that complements existing sensor suites. (gov.uk)

On the industrial side, the MOD points to activity at Leonardo’s Basildon site, with work rippling through a 29‑firm SME chain. Leonardo describes Basildon as a long‑standing electronics and optronics hub, anchoring skills in thermal imaging, radio and signal processing that align with SONUS integration. (gov.uk)

The contract lands as defence spending is set to rise. Downing Street has committed to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027-which translates to 2.6% under the government’s measure-with the 2025 Spending Review noting the MOD budget is consistent with that path. (gov.uk)

From a capability angle, acoustic systems complement radar. In 2024, Saab’s TAIPAN artillery‑hunting radars entered service with 5th Regiment RA, providing a high‑fidelity radar ‘find’ for counter‑battery missions; SONUS adds a covert, low‑signature way to locate hostile firing points when emitting risks detection. (saab.com)

For SMEs, the near‑term opportunity is practical: ruggedised enclosures, power, cabling, embedded compute, calibration, field servicing and logistics to support rapid rollout. The Army credits procurement reforms via the LAND ISTAR team, DE&S and Task Force RAPSTONE for the acceleration, which should mean faster call‑offs and shorter cash cycles than older programmes. (gov.uk)

Ministers frame the move as both a safety upgrade and a growth story. Luke Pollard highlighted lighter, more durable kit and support for jobs across the UK-rhetoric that aligns with the government’s push to tie national security to industrial strategy. (gov.uk)

For those tracking Leonardo in the UK, the SONUS win is modest but well‑timed. The company has been seeking clarity on larger orders, including the medium‑lift helicopter decision linked to Yeovil; the Financial Times has warned of risks to that site if contracts slip. The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, trailed alongside the 2025 review, will be the next marker for pipeline visibility. (ft.com)