Anduril is reportedly discussing a new funding round that could value the defence technology company at approximately $100 billion, although no final decision has been made and the amount to be raised remains unknown. The talks follow a recent $5 billion round that valued the company at $61 billion, amid rapid growth in its portfolio of drones, missiles and defence software.
A $100 billion valuation would demonstrate how rapidly investor confidence is shifting toward software-led defence companies and autonomous systems. Anduril is no longer being valued simply as a promising startup, but increasingly as a potential competitor to established defence primes. However, the figure remains prospective and will ultimately need to be supported by sustained revenue growth, successful program execution and the conversion of demonstrations into large-scale procurement.
BAE Systems has unveiled Brontanax, an autonomous collaborative combat aircraft developed in the United Kingdom to operate alongside platforms such as the Typhoon. The Hawk-sized aircraft is intended to perform electronic-warfare and precision-strike missions, using an open and modular architecture. Ground testing is planned at Warton before an expected first flight in 2027, with entry into service targeted before the end of the decade.
Brontanax reflects the growing importance of sovereign collaborative combat aircraft programmes as countries seek additional combat mass without purchasing equivalent numbers of crewed fighters. Its strategic value will depend not only on autonomous flight, but also on successful integration with existing aircraft, weapons and command systems. The programme also shows that European manufacturers are attempting to remain competitive in a market currently dominated by rapidly advancing US concepts.
🔗 Source
The British Army plans to acquire the Tekever AR5 surveillance UAV under a programme worth up to £400 million over ten years. An initial six aircraft are planned, with as many as 24 expected by 2029. The AR5 can carry up to 50 kilograms of cameras and sensors and will be manufactured at Tekever’s new facility in Swindon. The programme remains subject to contract signature and final approvals.
The selection illustrates how operational experience in Ukraine is increasingly influencing European procurement decisions. It also marks a shift away from lengthy legacy development programmes toward systems that can be introduced and continuously upgraded more rapidly. Nevertheless, the relatively small planned fleet and the programme’s maximum value raise questions about affordability, force scale and whether the AR5 will provide sufficient survivability in highly contested environments.
🔗 Source
Ukrainian company UFORCE and US shipbuilder RECONCRAFT have signed a memorandum of understanding to manufacture the MAGURA family of autonomous maritime drones in the United States. The partnership would combine MAGURA’s combat-tested designs and autonomy with RECONCRAFT’s existing US shipbuilding infrastructure. No procurement commitment, contract value, production quantity or delivery schedule has yet been announced.
The agreement shows how Ukrainian battlefield innovation is beginning to move into Western industrial and procurement networks. Rather than developing an American platform from the ground up, the partnership aims to combine an operationally proven Ukrainian system with established US manufacturing capacity. Its longer-term significance will depend on whether the memorandum leads to firm orders, but it could provide a model for transferring other Ukrainian unmanned technologies into NATO markets.
🔗 Source
X-Bow Systems has introduced Buckler, a supersonic surface-to-air interceptor designed primarily to defeat Group 3 drones such as Shahed-type one-way attack systems. The company is targeting a unit price below $100,000 and says the interceptor has completed an initial flight test following propulsion and static-fire trials. Buckler may also be capable of engaging certain subsonic cruise missiles and other aerial threats.
Buckler addresses the growing need to reduce the cost imbalance between inexpensive attack drones and conventional air-defence missiles. Its proposed combination of supersonic performance and a sub-$100,000 price could make it attractive for defending against mass attacks while preserving more expensive interceptors for higher-end threats. However, the price and performance remain manufacturer claims, and the system will need further testing and production scaling before its operational and economic advantages can be confirmed.
🔗 Source
Ukraine awards more than $1 billion in drone contracts
🔗 Source
Doodle Labs considers US and European production sites as demand for jam-resistant drones grows
🔗 Source
US Army awards $117 million contract for 82 AeroVironment P550 eVTOL drones
🔗 Source
Saronic and Samsung Heavy Industries form alliance on autonomous maritime systems
🔗 Source
Romania plans $7.5 billion weapons acquisition including UAVs co-produced with Ukraine
🔗 Source
US Army invests $80 million in domestic drone-motor production
🔗 Source
Ukraine’s AN-196 Liutyi returns as a reusable carrier for four air-to-surface missiles
🔗 Source
Sikorsky Nomad 100 rotor-blown autonomous aircraft completes initial flight tests
🔗 Source
Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft to support Apache operations
🔗 Source
BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin advance the modular Blizzard unmanned aircraft
🔗 Source
General Atomics and Kongsberg advance Joint Strike Missile integration on MQ-9B
🔗 Source
Tekever unveils UK-built AR6 heavy-lift UAV for long-range military logistics
🔗 Source
Fury loyal wingman arrives at Creech Air Force Base for deployment trials
🔗 Source
Ukraine’s Skyfall unveils P1-Sun Jetkiller interceptor against Shahed-type drones
🔗 Source
MBDA unveils mobile counter-drone air-defence system using CMI and ASRAAM missiles
🔗 Source
Destinus unveils Vorexon air-defence missile
🔗 Source
Bird of Prey offers European forces a reusable interceptor against one-way attack drones
🔗 Source
Lockheed Martin unveils Morfius X, designed to disable more than 50 drones per flight
🔗 Source
Qinetiq invests £20 million in laser-weapon development
🔗 Source
Australian Defence Department orders Dronebuster counter-UAS kits
🔗 Source
Elistair and Exail integrate persistent aerial surveillance onto unmanned surface vessels
🔗 Source
US company develops missile-armed unmanned surface vessel for drone defence
🔗 Source
US Navy employs kamikaze unmanned boats during the sinking of USS Peleliu
🔗 Source
Ukraine develops a naval FPV-drone carrier
🔗 Source
Babcock, ACUA Ocean and Frankenburg partner on maritime counter-drone air defence
🔗 Source
US Navy selects Kongsberg and Oceaneering to develop the 1,000-mile CAMP XLUUV
🔗 Source
US Army selects Dire Wolf UGV for autonomous logistics in contested environments
🔗 Source
South Korean Army selects Hanwha’s ARION-SMET unmanned ground vehicle
🔗 Source
Ukraine deploys ground robots equipped with grenade launchers
🔗 Source
India unveils kamikaze unmanned ground vehicle
🔗 Source
US AFRICOM and Morocco plan drone academy and multidomain test centre
🔗 Source
NATO tests unmanned-aircraft and search-and-rescue operations without satellite positioning
🔗 Source
Taiwan advances explainable AI for defence applications
🔗 Source
NODA AI wins $10 million contract to coordinate Pentagon drones as a single team
🔗 Source
