Anduril Industries, the Palo Alto-based defence technology startup founded by Oculus VR pioneer Palmer Luckey, is aggressively expanding its footprint in Europe, capitalising on a moment of historic rearmament following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The company’s strategic push into the UK defence sector underscores a broader trend of American tech firms leveraging AI and autonomy to reshape global military capabilities.
Luckey’s return to the spotlight after his acrimonious departure from Meta in 2016 signals a pragmatic shift in focus. “This is way too important a capability for the United States military to let the last vestiges of a decade-old pissing contest get in the way,” he told the Wall Street Journal in May. That statement now rings even truer as Anduril seeks to position itself as a key player in Europe’s defence modernisation.
The company’s aggressive lobbying efforts in the UK have already yielded results. Since January 2023, Anduril has met with senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials 19 times—up from just two meetings in the previous period. These engagements include dinners and presentations, including one where Anduril executives gifted two copies of *The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare*, a book by an Anduril executive, to Paul Lincoln, then a permanent secretary at the MoD.
Anduril’s UK strategy has been bolstered by a well-connected network of lobbyists and PR experts, who have helped secure lucrative contracts and high-level meetings. The company’s CEO, Brian Hollingshead, followed up a panel appearance at the London Defence Conference with a direct email to the Department for International Trade, noting that Lord Johnson, a senior Conservative Party figure, had expressed interest in Anduril’s approach. The two met shortly after at the Old Admiralty Building in Whitehall, a historic site once central to British naval strategy.
A Conservative Party spokesman confirmed the importance of AI in defence, stating, “AI technology is an essential part of strengthening the United Kingdom’s defence capacity.” This sentiment aligns with Anduril’s pitch, which emphasises autonomous systems and AI-driven warfare as critical to modern military operations.
As Europe accelerates its rearmament efforts, Anduril’s expansion into the UK could serve as a template for other US defence tech firms looking to capitalise on the continent’s growing defence budgets. The company’s ability to navigate political and bureaucratic hurdles—combined with its cutting-edge technology—positions it as a formidable player in the evolving defence landscape. If successful, Anduril’s approach could redefine how private sector innovation integrates with national security strategies, not just in the UK, but across Europe.
