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US defence tech on European frontlines
Anduril is bringing AI-driven missiles to Europe
SearchVentures
June 25, 2024
The Startup Story
This week, we spotlight Anduril, a defence tech startup expanding from California to Europe, aiming to provide drones and autonomous defence vehicles for the Ukraine war. Founded in 2017, the startup is valued at over $10 billion and was created by Palmer Luckey, the serial entrepreneur who sold Oculus in 2014 to Facebook for $2 billion.
Startup Story of Anduril
From Virtual Reality To Explosive Missiles
Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the entrepreneur behind the VR headset Oculus Rift, Anduril Industries focuses on developing advanced autonomous systems and artificial intelligence for defence applications. The mission of Anduril is to bring Silicon Valley's innovation to the defence industry, providing modern solutions to complex military challenges.
“The only way to deter bad actors is to have technology powerful enough to scare them from acting in the first place.”
With the ongoing Ukraine conflict, there is an increasing demand for tech-oriented defence solutions in Europe. In response, Anduril Industries has secured a £17 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to deploy counter-intrusion aerial systems. Additionally, Anduril has formed a partnership with Rheinmetall, a $20 billion German defence company, to develop advanced unmanned fighter drones for the European market.
Previously dependent solely on traditional military institutions, Europe is now seeing a shift as Anduril opens the door for private military spending, particularly benefiting emerging defence tech startups in the region.
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Autonomous Weapons Without Limits
Roadrunner-M destroys a drone in the air with precision and accuracy.
The flagship product of Anduril, Lattice OS, is an AI-driven platform that transforms multiple data streams into a real-time command and control center. Lattice allows soldiers on the field to launch drone recon missions, coordinate troop positioning, and combine attacks from unmanned and human-operated vehicles.
Another product they have developed with a specific use case for Ukraine is the Roadrunner-M. This is a reusable ground-to-air missile that can target, intercept and destroy unwanted enemy drones.
"Anduril is a tech first defense company, all our innovations come down to precision, accuracy and weapons that protect before they destroy”
Growing Interest in Private Sector Innovation
The growth of Anduril and its weapon systems reflects a broader trend of private sector startups out-innovating traditional government institutions. Private companies like Anduril can move faster with more flexibility than their government counterparts, driving significant advancements in defence capabilities. With ongoing warfare and a demand for more defence innovation in Europe, startups may be the solution that governments need.
“It's a tough business to get into, but if you have the resources and the network, you can make a significant impact. We've shown that it's possible to innovate rapidly in defense”
Future of European defence tech 🏢
EU programs for deep tech startups
The European Commission aims to procure 40% of its defence equipment among EU member states by 2030, with 50% of equipment being sourced within the bloc. However, private investments have been stagnant, with only 64 defence tech deals in Europe in 2023 from 63 in 2022. With this backdrop, will Europe only be able to achieve its defence targets through government deep tech funding?
To understand the key reasons and deeper insights behind this trend, catch our Thursday publication on SearchVentures Premium.
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See you on Thursday :)
Cheers,
Odin Lund & Hari Mohandas
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