The new deal with L3 Harris Communications Systems for 1,300 new multi-mode radios (MMR) will provide both ground-to-ground and ground-to-air communications for deployed soldiers.

Technical advances and upgrades will allow the radios to work across a range of security classifications, with the first ones being delivered to the British Army before the end of the year, ahead of further deliveries in 2023, the MoD said.

The MoD is currently planning to spend £11.7bn over the next 10 years in order to update or replacing its digital systems to keep pace with potential adversaries.

It hopes the money will enable seamless sharing and exploitation of data in military operations across land, air, sea, space and cyber.

The contract will lead to the creation of 10 new jobs and the sustaining of 200 more at the L3 Harris HQ in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Defence procurement minister Alex Chalk said: “It’s vital we equip our Armed Forces personnel with modern capabilities...