OF NOTE
The most pressing issue in defense technology today is the challenge of rapidly scaling and integrating cutting-edge innovations—especially AI, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity—into operational military use.
While defense budgets and venture investment in emerging tech have surged, the sector faces persistent barriers: slow and complex procurement processes, talent shortages in high-tech fields, and the difficulty of aligning commercial innovation cycles with government timelines. These hurdles prevent promising technologies from moving swiftly from prototype to battlefield, risking the erosion of technological superiority in an era of accelerating global competition.
Overcoming these obstacles requires not only streamlined acquisition and collaboration between startups and established defense firms, but also a cultural shift within defense organizations toward risk-taking and agility.
Defense Tech Newsletter
INNOVATION
The Frontline of Innovation: 10 European defence tech startups to watch in 2025
There’s a fact we can’t avoid: recently, more and more attention (and funding) has been flowing into the defence sector. Whether it’s due to growing global tensions, advances in autonomous tech, or rising concerns about national security, defence has become a hot topic for both governments and investors.
eu-startups.com
Oracle Launches First-of-its-Kind Defense Ecosystem to Redefine National Security Innovation
National security teams are often unable to access the latest cloud and AI technologies, especially from up-and-coming technology vendors, due to complex procurement processes, strict qualification standards, and the relationship networks required to gain admission into the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
To address these challenges and enable the U.S. and its allies to access the most advanced defense technology, the Oracle Defense Ecosystem will build on Oracle’s decades of defense and intelligence expertise and leverage Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). OCI is trusted by the defense and government sector and meets its strict compliance requirements.
Defense Tech Newsletter
INVESTMENT
The booms and bombs of defense-tech investing
NATO nations last week agreed to spend at least 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, in a major diplomatic win for the Trump administration.
axios.com
US Venture Firm Makes First-Ever Direct Investment in Ukrainian Defense Tech
Ukrainian robotics manufacturer Tencore has secured $3.74 million in funding from the American venture capital firm MITS Capital on July 11. This marks the first direct investment by a US venture fund in a Ukrainian defense tech company, made through a Ukrainian legal entity in Dіia.City.
united24media.com
TECHNOLOGY
Where policy meets profit: Navigating the new frontier of defense tech startups
In this Help Net Security interview, Thijs Povel, Managing Partner at Ventures.eu, discusses how the firm evaluates emerging technologies through the lens of defense and resilience. He explains how founders from both defense and adjacent sectors are addressing policy shifts, procurement cycles, and dual-use innovation.
helpnetsecurity.com
What South Korea Can Learn from the US Defense-Tech Sector
Seoul must figure out how to replicate Washington’s success in fusing its national security apparatus with Silicon Valley.
nationalinterest.org
EUROPE
A defense-tech perfect storm brews in Europe
If there's any moment Europe should double down on its own defense, it's today.
axios.com
US clears Norway to purchase $2.6B worth of HH-60W helicopters
Oslo’s purchase of the HH-60W could help extend the helicopter’s production line after the US Air Force moved to end procurement of the platform in 2022.
breakingdefense.com
Estonian Tech Veterans Want to Strengthen European Civil Defense
Startup founder and investor Sten Tamkivi views defense as an all-of-society effort that includes civilian and military networks working in tandem
wsj.com
NATO Looks to the Future
Europe is grappling with a rapidly evolving security landscape and needs to plan ahead to deal with looming challenges.
moderndiplomacy.eu