As geopolitical tensions rise and modern warfare evolves, the need for advanced military technology has never been more pressing. In Europe, the emerging role of startups is to meet this challenge by driving innovation to save lives and protect those who serve.

Startups are not only revolutionizing military tech but also reshaping the landscape of defense procurement and investment.

The Growth of Defense Startups in Europe

First and foremost, we at Orbotix Technologies would like to extend our gratitude to Sifted.eu for including us in their tech market map on defense and dual-use technologies for 2024. Their insightful analysis underscores the critical intersection of innovation and security, a domain we are deeply committed to.

Sifted.eu highlights several key points that resonate profoundly with our mission at Orbotix Technologies. The article emphasizes the investments in dual-use technologies, driven by the escalating geopolitical tensions and the pressing need for modernized defense systems. The European Investment Fund’s creation of a $175M fund to back venture capital and private equity funds in dual-use tech marks a significant milestone. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and military applications, fostering an environment where startups can thrive.

More Investments in Defense

The geopolitical reality in Europe, as Sifted.eu notes, is hardening, with NATO preparing for potential conflicts. This scenario has propelled the tech community to explore the commercial potential of modernizing Europe’s military infrastructure. The taboo surrounding defense investments is gradually lifting, yet there remains a cautious approach from VCs who prefer the term “dual-use” to steer clear of lethal applications.

Moreover, our commitment extends beyond product development. We advocate for a seamless integration of new technologies within governmental frameworks. As Sifted.eu rightly points out, the U.S. has led the way by transforming its contracting procedures.

We believe that European governments must follow suit, adopting more flexible procurement processes to harness the full potential of emerging defense startups.

The analysis conducted by Sifted captures the dynamic landscape of defense and dual-use technologies, a sector poised for transformative growth. At Orbotix Technologies, we are proud to contribute to this future, developing technologies that enhance security while promoting peace. Together, with continued innovation and strategic investments, we can build a safer world.

Despite a general trend of diminishing fundraising rounds in various sectors, defense startups have shown remarkable resilience and growth. In 2023, the sector saw $614 million in deals, a significant increase from $408 million in 2022, according to Dealroom. This surge in investment is partly driven by the European Investment Fund’s announcement to create a $175 million fund of funds to back venture capital and private equity funds investing in dual-use technologies.

This growth is a direct response to the changing geopolitical landscape in Europe. With NATO preparing for potential military conflicts, particularly with Russia, there is a renewed focus on modernizing Europe’s armies. The tech community sees vast commercial potential in this modernization, leading to an increase in defense ventures, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Why Do We Need Dual-Use Technologies?

Historically, investing in defense has been taboo for many venture capitalists. There has been a preference for “dual-use” technologies—those with both commercial and military applications—to avoid the ethical and reputational risks associated with pure defense investments. However, this trend is slowly fading as the necessity for advanced military technology becomes more apparent.

European governments are beginning to recognize the importance of investing in military tech. While they remain the primary clients for defense startups, procurement processes have traditionally favored established defense companies. The challenge now is for European governments to become more flexible and willing to engage with innovative startups.

Learning from US companies

The United States provides a model for this transformation. After companies like SpaceX and Palantir sued the US Army for opaque procurement processes, the country reformed its contracting procedures, making it easier for startups to compete. European startups and governments could benefit from similar reforms, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic defense ecosystem.

Innovative Partnerships

Partnerships between startups and traditional companies are crucial for creating a new environment where innovation is not hindered by bureaucratic processes. By focusing on the needs of soldiers and operators, and by working with tools that can adapt to the challenges of this new era of robotics, technology can become more autonomous and effective in everyday operations.

Saving Lives Through Innovation

The ultimate goal of these technological advancements is to save lives—both military and civilian. Advanced AI and autonomous systems developed by startups can significantly enhance the effectiveness of military operations, reducing the risk to human soldiers. For instance, our AI-powered Watcher-1 drone can conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, identifying threats accurately without putting human lives at risk.

Moreover, improved decision-making tools powered by AI can help military leaders make better-informed decisions, minimizing collateral damage and ensuring more precise operations. These technologies can also provide better protection for soldiers on the ground, offering advanced situational awareness and real-time threat analysis.

Protecting Our Heroes

Protecting those who serve is one of the main concerns for military organizations. We’ve witnessed the rise of defense companies that focus on different branches, such as wearable tech that monitors vital signs and environmental conditions and can help medics respond more quickly to injuries. Advanced communication systems ensure that troops remain connected and coordinated, even in the most challenging environments. Here at Orbotix, we focus on AI-powered drones that can enhance the safety and effectiveness of soldiers.

Additionally, innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE) and materials science lead to the development of more effective armor and protective gear. These advancements not only improve the safety of soldiers but also boost their confidence and morale, knowing they have the best possible protection.

The Road Ahead

As a European defense startup that continues to grow and innovate, we face both opportunities and challenges. Also, we can’t deny that the emerging role of startups is still needed to drive innovation and exceed expectations. However, our success will depend on the willingness of governments to adapt procurement processes and invest in these emerging technologies.

We strongly believe that traditional defense companies and startups will need to collaborate in this journey. By working together, we can combine experience and innovation to develop cutting-edge technologies that save lives and protect our heroes.

The emerging role of startups in European military tech is a vital development in the quest to enhance military capabilities while ensuring the safety and protection of those who serve. As these startups continue to innovate, they hold the potential to transform the defense sector, making significant contributions to both national security and the well-being of military personnel.

By fostering innovation and embracing new technologies, Europe can build a more robust and effective defense ecosystem that ensures our autonomy to be ready to face the challenges that the future might bring.

Discover how we’re setting new standards in defense technology by providing advanced solutions that anticipate and adapt to the evolving dynamics of security operations. 

Swarming in Defense:
How Autonomous Systems Transform Modern Operations

Swarming in Defense: A New Era of Autonomous Operations

Swarming is becoming one of the most significant advancements in autonomous defense systems. As modern forces face faster, more complex, and more distributed threats, swarming technology enables operations at a scale and speed impossible for traditional platforms. From Europe’s pursuit of defense readiness to the global shift toward AI-enabled coordination, swarming represents the next major evolution in military capability.

Why Swarming Matters for Modern Defense Forces

Swarming marks a fundamental departure from single-platform thinking. Modern threats require defense systems that can sense, and act at a speed and scale human operators could benefit from. Swarms deliver exactly that. They operate as a collective intelligence. Each unit contributes information, adapts to the environment, and updates the group’s decisions in real time. The result is a distributed system that persists under pressure, continues working even when individual units are lost, and creates an overwhelming advantage in contested environments.

Key advantages of swarming

Scale and saturation: large numbers of autonomous units overwhelm traditional defenses
Resilience: the swarm continues operating even if individual units are lost
Speed: machine-speed coordination reduces operator cognitive load
Adaptability: agents reassign tasks based on evolving conditions

A.I. Coordination at Machine Speed

Behind every swarm is a layer of AI-driven coordination that enables multiple units to act independently yet remain synchronized. This is where autonomy becomes transformative. Instead of relying on continuous operator commands, swarms share sensor data, evaluate threats, and allocate roles within milliseconds. This acceleration is not just faster. It changes the tempo of operations, enabling forces to respond before an adversary understands what is happening.

How swarms make decisions

Distributed sensing
Collective target identification
Autonomous task allocation
Real-time pathing

Machine-speed coordination is essential for future European defense systems, especially in environments where electronic warfare, GPS denial, or distance make human control unreliable.

Europe’s Need for Swarm-Ready Autonomous Defense Systems

Europe’s geography and security landscape create unique operational demands. Stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, the NATO Eastern Flank requires rapid detection, sustained monitoring, and seamless coordination across borders. Traditional systems cannot fully address this. Swarming offers a scalable, resilient, and interoperable solution. Swarms strengthen Europe’s defense posture while supporting the shift toward technological sovereignty.

From single UAVs to coordinated autonomous networks

Autonomous patrolling
Border-scale surveillance
Coordinated response
Joint targeting and tracking

Europe’s investment in initiatives like the European Drone Defense Initiative (EDDI) and Eastern Flank Watch shows how central multi-agent systems will be to future readiness.

Real World Swarming Applications in Defense

The power of swarming becomes clearer through real operational use cases. What makes swarms transformational is not their ability to fly together, but their ability to execute complex distributed tasks at the same time. Swarms can map terrain, track moving targets, and monitor large borders while adapting to new priorities in real time. Their distributed intelligence makes them highly resilient. If one unit is lost, the mission continues.

Where swarms create operational advantage

Border defense and surveillance
Target tracking and early warning
Force protection and rapid response
Crisis logistics and support

Swarming Requires Explainable Autonomy

As autonomy scales, trust becomes essential. Defense forces must understand how autonomous systems interpret their environment, prioritize tasks, and make decisions. Without transparency, swarming cannot be deployed responsibly or at scale. Explainable autonomy provides the tools and interfaces operators need to supervise complex AI behavior in a predictable, accountable way.

Explainable autonomy ensures

Operator oversight
Predictable behavior
Transparent actions
Accountable decisions

This requirement is critical in Europe, where responsibility, traceability, and compliance with ethical and legal frameworks are non-negotiable.

How Orbotix ATA Enables Next-Generation Swarming

True swarming capabilities require more than hardware. They require an autonomous architecture capable of distributing intelligence, coordinating decisions, and operating reliably in contested environments. This is the foundation of Orbotix’s ATA system. Designed in Europe and tested in real operational conditions, ATA delivers distributed autonomy, modular integration, and human-centric oversight.

How ATA supports swarming operations

Real-time multi-unit coordination
On-device autonomy for contested environments
Modular integration with sensors and payloads
Human-centric oversight with explainable AI
European micro-manufacturing for resilient deployment

The Future of Swarming in European Defense

As Europe increases investment in readiness, sovereignty, and cross-border defense cooperation, swarming will become central to new architectures and operational concepts. Swarms support larger surveillance networks, faster response cycles, and more resilient systems. For nations strengthening their frontier, swarming provides an affordable, scalable, and future-proof foundation.

Europe’s next stage of defense readiness will depend on autonomy that is fast, explainable, and interoperable. These values define Orbotix’s approach to innovation.

Swarming is transforming defense readiness. Discover how the ATA system enables machine-speed coordination for next-generation swarm operations at orbotix.tech/ata.