Top 9 Defence Tech Startups To Watch in 2025

There have been a lot of new ideas in defence technology in the last few years. Startups are moving into areas that were once the domain of legacy contractors. This is because they want more freedom, the ability to make decisions in real time, faster production and systems that can adapt.

These new businesses are a sign of bigger changes: real geopolitical urgency, advances in AI and sensor technology, a growing need for affordable defence solutions and a desire to modernise old systems. As these trends continue, we can expect defence technology to become more self-sufficient, more connected and more deeply integrated into national and alliance-level security plans.

 

What Is Defence Tech?

 

“Defence tech” is a broad term that includes the tools, systems, technologies and platforms that have been created to help or improve a country’s or alliance’s military, security or defense-related capabilities. This includes hardware like drones, sensors, robotics, unmanned vehicles, surveillance towers, communications equipment and more. It also includes software like command and control systems, situational awareness, decision-support, mission planning, AI and more. It also includes integrating systems, autonomy, cybersecurity and other related fields.

The most important thing is that defence technology often has to meet strict standards, such as being able to withstand stress, work in hostile environments, be reliable, have tactical or strategic value, follow the law and sometimes even follow ethical or engagement rules.

 

How Has Defence Tech Evolved?

 

In the last few decades and especially the last few years, defence technology has changed in a few big ways:

• From needing a lot of people to run to being able to run on their own or with little help. More unmanned systems, drones, loitering munitions and sensor systems that need less human help or help human operators a lot. For example, STARK is making drones that can fly on their own and work together as a group.
• More software, AI and decisions based on data.
• Venture capital backing and shorter development cycles. Defence used to mean big projects that took years to finish. In the past few years, startups have been able to get money, make changes quickly and deploy smaller systems more quickly. 
• Many parts made for civilian or commercial use (AI, robotics, autonomy, sensors, manufacturing techniques) are being changed or made to meet defence needs. This is called “dual-use technologies.” This makes things cheaper and speeds up new ideas, but it also raises questions about rules and morals. 

 

How Is Defence Tech Used Today?

 

Defence tech is being applied in many ways, in both operational (active threats) and supporting roles:

• Surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness: Using drones, sensors, autonomous towers or stations to keep an eye on borders, coasts or enemy movements. 
• Loitering munitions / strike systems: Drones or other unmanned systems that can wait for a target and then carry out strikes, either on their own or with remote control.
• Command & Control / mission planning: Tools that help military personnel plan operations more quickly, adjust to changing conditions, coordinate units and simulate outcomes. 
• Autonomous / remotely operated systems in challenging environments: Dangerous, contested and GPS-denied areas. Systems that work even when signals are blocked or connections are lost. 
• Rapid deployment / scaling of forces & hardware: Countries are looking for systems that can be made faster, are more modular and are cheaper so they can be deployed quickly because threats are growing. Startups are coming in to fill this gap.

 

What Is the Future of Defence Tech?

 

Looking ahead, defence tech is likely to continue evolving in many ways.

More Independence And Swarm Abilities

More unmanned systems will work together, like drone swarms or groups of unmanned systems that work together on land, in the air and at sea. That will have to be handled by command and control software. STARK is already putting money into swarm navigation by buying Pleno. 

AI And Making Decisions In Real Time 

Systems that can process data in the field, like images, signals, sensor data and more, even when they’re not connected to the internet or when they’re being attacked, to help or automate decisions. An example of this is the work of Comand AI. It will be more important to have ethical and legal oversight.

Resilient Communications

GPS jamming, signal denial and cyber disruption are becoming more common as warfare changes. It will be very important to have technology that can help you get around without GPS, make sure there is backup and keep working when communications are bad.

Affordability, Rapid Production And Dual-Use Scaling

There is a lot of political and public pressure for cost-effective solutions, even though defence budgets are big but limited. Startups that can make systems that are cheaper, modular or open and can grow and change quickly may have more chances. This is what Delian Alliance does. 

Regulation, Ethics And Standards

As technology gets more powerful and independent, countries and groups will want rules, accountability and ethical standards for how to use it. Interoperability between systems, especially between NATO allies, cybersecurity, safety standards and other things are likely to become more formalised. Startups that follow the rules and have a good understanding of the law and ethics will have an edge.

 

 

What Are The Top 9 Defense Tech Startups?

The defence tech landscape is being transformed by a new breed of startups that combine hardware, AI, autonomy and fast iteration. Below are some of the most interesting defence tech companies that have emerged or made big strides recently.

 

STARK

 

 

STARK has quickly risen as one of Europe’s most prominent defence tech startups, focusing on weaponised drones, loitering munitions and both aerial and maritime unmanned systems. Its technology includes swarm-capable platforms and a mission control suite called Minerva, designed to integrate operations across multiple units. 

 

Comand AI

 

 

Paris-based Comand AI is redefining command-and-control for modern militaries with its AI-powered software for decision-making, operational readiness and battlefield analytics. Its platform helps officers plan missions, run simulations and adapt strategy in real time. 

 

Arondite

 

 

London-based Arondite focuses on the “connective tissue” of modern defence—building AI and software systems that link sensors, autonomous platforms and robotics. Its technology strengthens human-machine teaming and provides situational awareness by fusing diverse data streams into actionable insights. 

 

Farsight Vision

 

 

Born out of frontline necessity, Farsight Vision develops geospatial intelligence solutions that turn UAV footage into 3D maps, terrain models and digital twins—even in GPS-denied or signal-disrupted environments. Its software has already been deployed in active conflict zones, where real-time terrain modelling is crucial for safe manoeuvres and precision targeting. 

 

Rune

Virginia-based Rune is tackling the logistics challenge in contested military environments. Its software platform tracks supplies, predicts resupply needs and ensures units get critical equipment and munitions on time—even with limited or disrupted connectivity. 

 

Ailand Systems

 

 

Ailand Systems is developing autonomous drones for landmine detection and clearance, an urgent need in Ukraine’s war-scarred regions and a challenge for many post-conflict zones worldwide. Its drones increase safety by reducing the risk to human deminers and accelerate clearance timelines significantly. Beyond defence, the same technology has potential applications in agriculture and environmental monitoring, making Ailand Systems a strong dual-use player bridging humanitarian, civilian and military needs.

 

Hiraiwa

 

 

Hiraiwa is a Brussels-based defence tech startup focusing on soldier protection against autonomous and unmanned threats. While details of its systems are less public, the company is understood to be developing hardware and software that defend individuals and small units from hostile drones and robotic platforms. 

C2GRID

 

 

C2GRID, based in Tallinn, is advancing multi-sensor fusion for defence by transforming battlefield imagery, video and other sensor data into live 3D situational models. These models give commanders a detailed, constantly updated view of threats and terrain, improving both strategic planning and tactical execution. 

 

Delian Alliance Industries

Delian Alliance Industries is developing cost-effective autonomous defence systems, including surveillance towers, aerial drones and unmanned sea platforms. Founded by a former Apple robotics engineer, the company leverages commercial hardware and AI to build scalable, modular solutions for surveillance and force protection.