Defence technology group Chemring has announced the conditional acquisition of Landguard Systems for up to £20 million. The deal will see Chemring pay £14 million in cash upon completion, with additional earnouts of up to £6 million tied to performance targets.
Landguard, based in Fareham, Hampshire, specialises in software-defined radio systems and security products for defence, government, and law enforcement clients.
The company reported revenues of approximately £7 million in the year ending 31 January 2025.
The acquisition bolsters Chemring’s Roke division with market-leading products and intellectual property and 30 additional specialist engineers.
“The acquisition of Landguard further enhances Roke’s significant operational capabilities and is further evidence of Chemring delivering its strategy of delivering growth through a combination of organic investment and bolt-on acquisitions in high-priority defence and national security markets,” said Michael Ord, Chief Executive of Chemring.
Landguard’s current owner-managers are expected to remain with the company following completion.
Chemring said that the combination of Roke’s cyber and electromagnetic activities expertise with Landguard’s modular technologies will create what the company describes as a “unique UK sovereign portfolio” of defence and security capabilities. The group will hope that they are beneficiaries of the UK government’s defence spending boost.
Landguard’s systems enable customers to protect critical operational assets through high-performance tracking products operating across satellite communications and cellular networks. The company also produces software-defined radio transceivers that provide flexible, reprogrammable capabilities, incorporating the latest interoperability standards.
Chemring recently announced a 25% increase in its orderbook, and the Languard deal will add a further £300m sales pipeline to the group.