Solus Power has secured funding from the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to fast-track the development of its military-grade portable battery unit, Kratos. This innovation is set to redefine energy resilience for deployed forces, offering a scalable, ruggedised power solution that enhances operational self-sufficiency across maritime, land, and air domains.
Kratos, described as a “Jerry can of electricity,” is a portable lithium-ion battery pack designed for rapid DC-to-DC charging. Its modular architecture allows users to link multiple units, making it adaptable for high-energy demands such as field command centres, medical units, and disaster relief efforts. The technology’s tactical portability—suitable for hand-carry, vehicle mounting, or drone deployment—combined with its low heat signature and silent operation, ensures operational stealth, a critical advantage in missions requiring discretion.
The funding, awarded through DASA’s competition to enhance operational advantage through energy innovation, will enable Solus Power to advance Kratos’ development in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). As the technical partner, Dstl will ensure the technology aligns with the Royal Navy’s Future Commando Force requirements, which is funding the project.
“Kratos is a game-changer,” said Stas Leonidou, founder and CEO of Solus Power. “Our mission is to revolutionise energy access across defence, ensuring reliable and sustainable power in diverse and challenging environments. Kratos’ ability to provide portable, flexible, and scalable off-grid power whenever and wherever it’s needed is an ideal solution to support global defence, security, and the evolving electrified military landscape.”
DASA’s role as a catalyst for defence and security innovation has been instrumental in identifying technologies that enhance operational resilience. Over the past nine years, the organisation has fostered strong partnerships across government, academia, and industry, driving advancements that support a more agile and self-sustaining military capability.
“Science and technology innovation enables our Armed Forces to be more resilient and effective,” said Darren Browning, Dstl technical partner. “Dstl’s critical technical advice helped shape the power requirements for the solution and its ability to power varied electronic systems. We’ll be using our extensive technical experience to thoroughly assess this next stage and ensure the product meets user needs.”
As modern operations increasingly rely on advanced electronics, surveillance systems, and electric mobility, the demand for reliable, portable power is growing. Traditional power sources like diesel generators are noisy, heavy, and logistically complex, making them less viable for today’s dynamic battlefield environments. Kratos addresses these challenges by offering a scalable, ruggedised, and self-sufficient power solution, essential for off-grid and battlefield operations.
The transition to electrified power generation, storage, and distribution is set to transform how armed forces operate, boosting efficiency and improving mission success rates. Kratos supports a wide range of military and emergency use cases, from powering base infrastructure such as surveillance systems to supporting soldier-level technology like wearable devices, communications equipment, and smart weaponry. Its scalable, portable design makes it ideal for land operations, drone support, and rapid deployment in disaster response or field maintenance scenarios.
This development underscores the growing importance of energy resilience in national security. As defence forces adapt to evolving threats, innovations like Kratos will play a pivotal role in ensuring operational readiness and mission success.