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Military

Curated AI news · 24 stories

AI Research

Finland’s NestAI is building the AI layer Europe’s militaries want to own

NestAI, a Helsinki-based AI lab established in 2025 and funded by Nokia and the Finnish state, is developing an AI operating system called NestOS for unmanned vehicles and command systems tailored for European defense forces. Recently, Finland's Ministry of Defence and Estonia's Defence Forces signed a non-binding letter of intent with NestAI to collaborate on AI development and knowledge sharing, emphasizing sovereign control and interoperability across national boundaries. This initiative aims

Business & Enterprise

Helsing raises $1.8bn at an $18bn valuation, and its cap table tells a story

Munich-based Helsing, Europe's largest defense startup, has raised $1.8 billion in a Series E funding round at an $18 billion valuation, marking rapid growth since its 2021 founding. The company develops AI-driven defense software and hardware for European militaries, emphasizing sovereignty, though significant investment comes from American and Canadian financial institutions. Helsing's product range includes battlefield software, drones, aircraft, and surveillance systems, with operations in多个

AI Research

The AI Industry Has Finally Found the Perfect Customer: Bloodthirsty Terrorists

A recent study reveals that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State have been leveraging AI chatbots to aid in attack planning, weapons troubleshooting, and the design of explosives. The research, based on interviews with former Boko Haram members, highlights how easily AI safeguards can be bypassed, enabling extremists to gain tactical advantages. This development underscores the unintended consequences of AI technology proliferation among malicious actors.

Military

Britain is spending £2bn to train its army inside an AI war simulation

The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a £2 billion contract with a consortium led by Raytheon UK to develop an AI-driven Combat Laboratory for training up to 60,000 soldiers annually in simulated modern warfare scenarios. The 15-year program combines virtual environments, live drills, and data analytics to enhance military readiness and decision-making, incorporating lessons from recent conflicts. The consortium includes UK and German firms, with Rheinmetall UK contributing nearly half the value

Military

From powerboat records to a $1bn war chest: meet Europe’s newest defence unicorn

Kraken Technology Group, a British company specializing in uncrewed surface vessels, has raised $175 million in a Series B funding round, valuing it at over $1 billion and making it Europe's newest defence unicorn. The company produces modular, crewless boats used for surveillance, logistics, and combat roles, with contracts from the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO partners, and USSOCOM, and has deployed its vessels in active conflicts. Kraken's strategy involves partnering with established ship制造商

Military

NATO is building an AI ‘Kill Web’ to stop a Russian attack before it starts

NATO is developing an AI-driven integrated defense network called the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative to detect and respond rapidly to potential Russian attacks along its eastern border. This system, termed the "Kill Web," connects various sensors and unmanned systems to enable faster decision-making and automated initial responses, aiming to protect human troops by deploying machines first. The initiative incorporates lessons from the Ukraine conflict and involves multiple defense industry,

AI Research

Venus Aerospace raises $91M to build its ‘detonation’ rocket engine

Venus Aerospace, a Texas-based startup, has secured $91 million in Series B funding to develop its Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE), a novel propulsion technology that offers improved efficiency by using continuous supersonic combustion waves. The company aims to apply this technology primarily for defense purposes, replacing solid motors in missiles and enabling high-speed space vehicles, while working to extend engine endurance from current test durations to operational levels. This $1

Military

Russia tries to jam Starlink to counter Ukraine’s long-range drones

Russian forces are attempting to disrupt Ukraine's use of Starlink satellite internet by deploying jammers like the Volna Kupol Garant to interfere with drone communications. These jammers affect a significant area, aiming to neutralize Ukraine's long-range drones that rely on Starlink for control and video transmission. Ukraine has responded by destroying some jammers and exploring alternatives to reduce dependence on a single network.

AI Research

UN Secretary General Calls for Global Ban On AI ‘Killer Robots’

At the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged all member states to ban autonomous AI-powered weapons, describing their use as morally unacceptable and emphasizing that decisions to take human life must remain human. This call aligns with ethical concerns raised by religious leaders and reflects ongoing debates in the tech industry about military applications of AI.

Robotics

Over 100 US-built autonomous ATVs have been fighting in Ukraine for nine months

Since October, over 100 US-made autonomous all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) by Forterra have been deployed in Ukraine, completing more than 1,100 missions including cargo transport and casualty evacuations. These gas-powered vehicles, based on Polaris ATVs, represent the largest US combat unmanned ground vehicle deployment and are primarily teleoperated due to current autonomy limitations. The deployment is part of US defense support for Ukraine, with ongoing efforts to enhance vehicle autonomy using

Business & Enterprise

BAE-backed Expeditions raises €197M fund for European defence startups

Expeditions, a Warsaw-based venture firm supported by BAE Systems and the NATO Innovation Fund, has secured €197 million to invest in early-stage European defence startups focused on technologies critical to the continent's security and sovereignty. The fund aims to reduce Europe's reliance on imported military technology by backing companies in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, quantum, and space. BAE Systems' involvement reflects a strategic move to engage with emerging defence tech companies,,

Robotics

The first American autonomous ground vehicles are fighting in Ukraine

Forterra, a US company, has deployed over 100 autonomous all-terrain vehicles in Ukraine's conflict zones over the past nine months, marking a significant use of autonomous ground vehicles in combat. These gas-powered vehicles can carry heavier loads than Ukraine's own battery-powered UGVs and have been adapted with features like satellite internet to better suit battlefield needs. The deployment is part of US defense efforts to support Ukraine against Russian forces and reflects evolving combat

Military

Israeli command system identified 850,000 targets in Gaza and Lebanon wars, says supplier

Israel's command and control system, operated by Elbit Systems, identified approximately 850,000 real-time targets during the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon between October 2023 and the end of 2025, averaging around 1,000 potential targets daily. This high volume of detected targets reflects the intense military operations conducted by the Israel Defense Forces across multiple war zones. The data was presented at a military conference in London, highlighting the technological capabilities and the

Military

A rocket motor blew up at Anduril’s Mississippi test site. The defence darling says it’s routine

Anduril experienced a solid rocket motor explosion during a test at its Mississippi facility, which the company described as a routine setback with no injuries and manageable damage. However, sources indicate such explosions are rare and the incident may delay production schedules and revenue generation. The event highlights challenges in missile manufacturing and the importance of solid rocket motors in national defense.

Robotics

Dutch military backs Intelic’s drone software with tens of millions of euros

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has invested tens of millions of euros in Intelic, a Dutch startup developing the NEXUS platform that enables drones from various manufacturers to be controlled under a unified system. This three-year partnership aims to improve coordination of uncrewed systems across the armed forces, inspired by lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine. Intelic's software has reportedly been used in Ukrainian operations, highlighting the growing need for interoperable Ux

Robotics

Quantum Systems raises $1.2bn and doubles its valuation to $8bn as defence money floods in

Quantum Systems, a German autonomous drone manufacturer, has secured $1.2 billion in Series D funding, doubling its valuation to approximately $8 billion. The company, which has deployed drones extensively in Ukraine, plans to use the funds to expand production, enhance its supply chain, enter new markets, invest in AI, and pursue acquisitions. This funding round reflects a broader surge in investment in defence-tech startups, particularly in Europe and the US.

Business & Enterprise

85% of NATO’s defence-tech funding goes to the US. AVP and Earlybird raised €500M to change that.

A significant majority of NATO's defense technology funding, approximately 85%, is allocated to the United States. To address this imbalance, investment firms AVP and Earlybird have collectively raised €500 million aimed at diversifying and expanding defense-tech funding beyond the US. This initiative seeks to foster innovation and development in other NATO member countries.