Mark | Building 🇪🇺 Defense Tech 4 ⤴️ Sovereignty

Hey everyone, I’m a European #founder who just is in the proceas selling my small cybersecurity company. After building and exiting one business, I’ve decided to go all in on something new: I’m starting a #defense #startup from scratch. One thing that hit me hard during research is how few real, honest resources there are out there, especially for people actually trying to build somethng new in this space. Almost nobody talks openly about the real challenges: security clearances/ compliance, painfully long sales cycles, bureaucracy, or how to actually get traction with the right people. So here’s the plan: I want to build this one in public. I’ll share everything I can: the lessons, the mistakes, the wins, the brutal realities. Obviously I can’t go into details on the actual security technology itself, but everything around it is fair game. My goal here would be a guide or a ecosystem where we can support each other, to navigate the hurdles. Quick question for the community: Would you actually be interested in following a series like this? Real talk from someone who’s in the trenches right now , not theory, not consulting fluff. If yes, just reply with “I’m in” or tell me what topics you’d want to see covered most. The more people show interest, the more raw and useful I’ll make it. Looking forward to hearing from you.

A new robotic ship built in the UK can stay at sea alone for nearly two months and carry 4 tonnes of cargo. defence-blog.com/uk-company-bui…

German consortium released Soofi S #AI — sparse 30B MoE hybrid model, trained on Telekom’s Munich cloud with extra German data. Built for technical docs and industrial work. I haven't tested it yet and to be honest I am skeptical, but at least it is good for our #European #sovereignty at first glance. In #defence tech we deal with massive specs and need stuff that runs on our infrastructure without foreign dependencies or data leaks. The efficiency angle on long context could actually help... Let's see, base model only. Still, this direction matters. Anyone else testing European options for sensitive workloads?

#ProjectQ released Hydris this week. It acts as the connecting layer that pulls #drones, sensors, existing command systems and effectors into one usable picture. The modular open approach lets forces slot in new kit without tearing down what they already run. #AI sorts the flood of data so operators see the important bits at the tactical edge instead of fighting interfaces. This is the practical stuff that turns a bunch of standalone systems into something usable in real multi-domain fights. Integration has always been the bottleneck.

#Destinus just took the lead role in the new Bliksem EXO consortium. #AirbusDefence and Space, #MBDA Deutschland, #Safran and #Thales signed the letter of intent with them yesterday. The goal is a sovereign European hit-to-kill interceptor that destroys medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles above the atmosphere. Engineering work begins in August and they aim for a space test of the kill vehicle in 2027. #Europe needs this upper layer badly if it wants real sovereignty in missile #defence beyond what Sky Shield already covers. It shows a startup can drive a programme when the primes line up behind it.

For the first time, US forces have used Ukrainian-style sea drones to attack an Iranian coastal installation. Seen here, a trio of American Corsair USVs drive up to a sub repair dock at Bandar Abbas and detonate.

#NATO allies just locked in over $40B for counter-drone systems over the next five years. They also want five times more trained operators by end of 2027 and a new marketplace to speed up buys. Clear signal for European C-UAS teams that the demand is real and coordinated now. euractiv.com/news/nato-indu…

NATO awards €200 million cloud transformation contract to Accenture and Leonardo ift.tt/jR2X1aq

#Helsing just closed $1.8B at an $18B valuation. Biggest defence tech round #Europe has seen. Round was oversubscribed and the company stays mostly European owned. Money still flows fast when the tech actually ships and works with the primes. defensenews.com/global/europe/…

Germany will finance the production of 50,000 Shrike FPV drones for Ukraine The drones will be manufactured by Ukrainian company SkyFall, while German firm Auterion will equip them with software and targeting modules. The Shrike 10 became the first Ukrainian drone to shoot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter since the start of the full-scale war. The Shrike 10F variant also won the American Drone Dominance Program, scoring 99.3 out of 100 points.

‼️‼️🇫🇷🇺🇦 BIG | In a monumental geopolitical shift, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially confirmed that Ukraine has secured domestic manufacturing licenses for three of France's most advanced military assets: Aster-30 anti-ballistic missiles, AASM Hammer 250kg precision-guided bombs, and SCALP long-range cruise missiles. This strategic authorization marks a major turning point, allowing Kyiv to bypass foreign supply bottlenecks and directly localize the mass production of high-tech, deep-strike, and air defense weapons on Ukrainian soil. Further cementing this long-term defense partnership, Macron announced that Ukraine will integrate French-made Rafale fighter jets into its air force, with deliveries officially scheduled for the 2028–2029 timeframe. The acquisition of these cutting-edge, multi-role combat aircraft will fundamentally overhaul Ukraine’s aerial warfare capabilities and ensure a permanent, westernized deterrence posture against future aggression. This unprecedented level of technology transfer represents a profound evolution in European military support, signaling that Western allies are no longer just donating stockpiles, but are actively transforming Ukraine into an independent, highly advanced military-industrial powerhouse capable of securing its own skies. See the latest updates with us: @visionergeo

Innovation at its best.

“Nine countries, including Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, will meet with about a dozen companies, including the SAMP-T manufacturer Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales and Saab ahead of the summit to push them to do more on air defence (...).” reuters.com/business/aeros…

USMC Eyes General Atomics’ Bullseye Cruise Missile to Counter China American lawmakers want to fund a U.S. Marine Corps test of General Atomics’ Bullseye cruise missile in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. By @AaronMatthew_L navalnews.com/naval-news/202…

🇺🇸 Lockheed Martin has received an additional contract worth approximately $74 million to complete the integration of the European Meteor and SPEAR 3 missiles onto F-35A/B fighters operated by the United Kingdom and Italy under the Block 4 programme. The work includes the final stages of flight testing, certification of the weapons management systems and software modifications enabling the missiles to be launched from the aircraft’s internal weapons bays. The Meteor missile is 3.6 metres long and has a wingspan of 0.93 metres. It is capable of engaging targets at ranges of up to 180 to more than 200 km when launched from altitudes above 12,500 metres, thanks to its ramjet propulsion system. The missile is highly manoeuvrable and capable of overcoming modern air defence countermeasures. Meteor’s sustained high speed allows it to engage fast aerodynamic targets effectively even near the outer limits of its engagement envelope, something the AIM-120D-3 is unable to achieve. In the F-35 configuration, the missile is protected from external environmental effects by being carried inside the weapons bays, which improves internal packaging and reduces the aircraft’s radar signature. SPEAR 3, meanwhile, is a compact precision-guided cruise missile measuring 2.5 metres in length and with a wingspan of one metre. It can strike ground targets at ranges exceeding 140 km using inertial navigation with GPS updates. SPEAR 3 can also be equipped with different warheads, including high-explosive fragmentation and penetrating variants, making it highly effective in modern combat conditions. The missile can be adapted for use not only by the F-35 but also by other platforms, providing considerable versatility and tactical flexibility. The integration of Meteor and SPEAR 3 is currently undergoing active testing. Earlier this year, a US Marine Corps F-35B test aircraft flew for the first time carrying both types of missile, confirming progress towards integrating these advanced weapons onto fifth-generation multirole fighters. The technology was originally expected to be introduced under an earlier phase of the F-35 modernisation programme, but the project encountered delays. All work is expected to be completed by December 2032, with more than 51% of the work to be carried out at BAE Systems facilities in the United Kingdom, supporting the development of the country’s domestic defence industry. #info #F35 #Air_to_Air #Meteor

🇬🇧 UK will lead a $50 billion European initiative aiming to develop new deep precision strike capabilities. The initiative was announced by a joint statement from the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. The countries have collectively determined to invest $50.66 billion in the program over the next 10 years. 🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇩🇪🇳🇱🇳🇴🇷🇴🇪🇸🇸🇪🇹🇷🇬🇧 The joint statement added that the countries recognise the need to increase their Deep Precision Strike (DPS) capabilities, including in response to recent US force adjustments in Europe. The new long-range weapons will have the ability to strike targets more than 300km away, and in some cases beyond 2000km, with pinpoint accuracy. The new initiative will enable European allies to share expertise, technology advances and deepen industrial collaboration to rapidly advance NATO capabilities. It will also put deep precision strike at the centre of NATO’s defence agenda next year. The UK has already backed British deep precision strike capabilities, committing £3 billion by 2030 in the recently announced Defence Investment Plan (DIP). This includes the UK programmes with Germany, and the trilateral project with the French and Italy on Stratus. #UK #NATO #Europe #DeepPrecisionStrike 📸MBDA Stratus RS (Rapid Strike) and Stratus LO (Low Observable) missiles/ @MBDAGroup

Ukraine and Italy are holding talks on the localization of CAMM-ER surface-to-air missile production. This became known from materials of an investigation by the Rome Prosecutor’s Office into Russian intelligence activities, according to La Repubblica. According to the publication, Russian intelligence services attempted to obtain information about defense cooperation between Kyiv and Rome, including plans for missile production and the integration of related systems. CAMM-ER missiles were developed by MBDA and are designed for air defense systems. They have a range of up to 45 km and can be used to destroy aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.

@MrKevinRothrock Drones have become a kind of precision weapon of mass destruction.

NYT report on Helsing, "Europe's most valuable AI defense startup," which builds attack drones for as little as €17,500. Their 26-lb HX-2 kamikaze drone needs one operator with just a week's training. Thousands have been deployed against Russian forces in Ukraine.

@JustRouzbeh Thanks for the advise! I will post more things. I am now in a kind of pre-founding phase, but will post more in the next days.

im in, genuinely. the gap you describe is real, everyone documents b2c saas and almost nobody writes honestly about regulated, long-cycle, clearance-heavy worlds. one tip while youre gauging interest: dont just count replies, capture them. a signup with a single question turns this thread into an actual list plus a topic roadmap. thats what i built @Lighthouse_app_ for. the long sales cycle and getting to the right buyers is what id read first 🚀

Hey everyone, I’m a European #founder who just is in the proceas selling my small cybersecurity company. After building and exiting one business, I’ve decided to go all in on something new: I’m starting a #defense #startup from scratch. One thing that hit me hard during research is how few real, honest resources there are out there, especially for people actually trying to build somethng new in this space. Almost nobody talks openly about the real challenges: security clearances/ compliance, painfully long sales cycles, bureaucracy, or how to actually get traction with the right people. So here’s the plan: I want to build this one in public. I’ll share everything I can: the lessons, the mistakes, the wins, the brutal realities. Obviously I can’t go into details on the actual security technology itself, but everything around it is fair game. My goal here would be a guide or a ecosystem where we can support each other, to navigate the hurdles. Quick question for the community: Would you actually be interested in following a series like this? Real talk from someone who’s in the trenches right now , not theory, not consulting fluff. If yes, just reply with “I’m in” or tell me what topics you’d want to see covered most. The more people show interest, the more raw and useful I’ll make it. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Baltics Seal €650M Saab Deal The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense confirmed a major defense agreement on July 10 alongside Baltic allies to purchase up to ten advanced Saab maritime and air surveillance aircraft. nexoramedia.base44.app/article/6a523b…

Cool fact: This logo was designed by a Tel Aviv studio called Open Branding. Open's major client is a defense company called RADA Technologies. RADA recently merged with Italian aerospace giant Leonardo, which produces drone parts for Baykar. Four degrees of 🇹🇷 separation!