UK radar firm supplies unnamed Southeast Asian military with border surveillance tech

A Southeast Asian military has placed a new order for high-tech mobile ground surveillance radars from UK-based company Blighter Surveillance Systems, according to a statement released on October 1, 2025. The deal expands an existing relationship with the company and adds to a growing trend of countries in the region strengthening their borders.

According to Army Recognition, which analysed the deal, the new contract includes more units of Blighter’s B400 series radars, paired with the company’s BlighterNexus command-and-control software. While the exact country wasn't named, Blighter referred to the buyer as a “major economy” in Southeast Asia that has been using their systems for years.

These radars help border security teams detect people, vehicles, small boats, and even slow-moving drones across tough terrain like forests, rivers, and deserts. What sets the B400 system apart is its ability to provide 360-degree coverage without any moving parts, making it rugged, quiet, and easy to install on vehicles, masts, or tripods.

The BlighterNexus software ties everything together by combining data from different radar units and other sensors into a single view. This makes it easier for operators to spot threats and respond quickly—whether the radar is mounted on a patrol vehicle, a trailer, or set up in a remote area.

The radar system is designed for mobility, flexibility, and 24/7 performance in all weather conditions. One radar can detect small ground targets up to 32 kilometers away, and the advanced software helps identify whether a target is a person, a car, or a drone.

This kind of technology is increasingly important as Southeast Asian nations face challenges like smuggling, illegal border crossings, and surveillance by drones. The new systems are expected to plug gaps in older defences and provide faster response capabilities in hard-to-reach areas.

Blighter CEO James Long said the contract shows continued trust in the company’s products and reflects the need for expanded border coverage across a wide range of terrain, including “mountains, dense forests, arid deserts, and coastlines.”

Blighter’s radar systems are already used by several militaries around the world, including the UK Ministry of Defence, the South Korean Army, and the US Air Force.

The deal also highlights a broader regional trend, as countries in Southeast Asia look to modernise their border security in the face of increasing pressure from criminal networks, migration, and drone threats. At the same time, many are choosing Western-made systems to balance global political influence in the region.

By Sabina Mammadli