Best of LinkedIn: Defense Tech CW 02/ 03

Funding debates in the US and UK highlight gaps between defense ambition and available resources, especially where forces depend heavily on imported systems for core deterrence

Large primes such as Lockheed Martin signal industrial scale with higher missile production, new satellite constellations and F 35 investment tied to jobs and regional economic impact

Venture backed defense tech and autonomy players in Europe secure major rounds and OEM partnerships, positioning startups as central to deterrence, capacity building and sovereign capability

Regional hubs and events, from NRW summits to hackathons in Australia, curate deal flow and visibility for defense innovators, connecting robotics firms, vehicle makers and training specialists

AI is framed as augmenting human decision making, with interviews stressing responsible weapons use, AI ethics and Europe’s need to define its own standards for future warfare

Concrete programmes apply AI and shared data to core workflows, from US naval shipbuilding efficiency to real time military activity monitoring via AI enabled intelligence platforms

Modular AI architectures such as Safran’s and Astris AI’s platforms, as well as Lockheed Martin’s MIC2 concept, point to secure, scalable data layers becoming part of standard force design

Autonomy in airpower accelerates as Harmattan AI and other firms secure financing and partnerships to scale intelligent teaming, future combat air systems and autonomous mission support

Offensive drone warfare evolves with new Russian units prioritising rapid battlefield adaptation and systems like the Gran UAV combining small platforms with heat seeking missile capability

Tactical drone demand grows, illustrated by significant orders for Anduril’s Bolt M drones and strong interest in European ground robotics as vehicles for regional innovation and deterrence

Counter drone requirements broaden across land, air and maritime environments, with programmers focused on counter small UAS, base protection and layered defenses around critical assets

DroneShield strengthens its position through new military contracts and LAND156 programme visibility, while AI tools such as WALDO 3.0 support more accessible control and analytics for unmanned fleets

The F 35 is positioned as a central advanced fighter for national defense, with leadership visits used to reinforce its role in deterrence, innovation and industrial employment

Lockheed Martin expands its role across the missile defense stack, from higher PAC 3 MSE output and next generation interceptors to satellite constellations that enhance global missile tracking

Naval strike solutions such as LRASM and vertically launched JAGM mature as key tools for operating in contested maritime environments and countering evolving unmanned aerial threats

Directed energy weapons and hardened microelectronics move from experimentation toward operational reality, supported by DARPA and industry collaborations focused on survivable components and integrated air defense

Analysts question whether current defense strategies and flagship programmers truly scale, calling for funding models and capability choices that better align with credible deterrence outcomes

European debates link technology, data and sovereignty, arguing that overreliance on imported platforms undermines resilience while Ukrainian and Swiss examples showcase technology driven, trust based defense strategies

Leadership narratives from THAAD and other programmers highlight that mission success depends on culture, teamwork and disciplined execution as much as on advanced hardware and software

Diplomatic and thought leadership platforms, including ambassador visits and new defence journals, are used to shape policy, sales reform and alliances as the defence tech landscape becomes more contested