The war in Ukraine has ignited a surge in European defence innovation, with military veterans playing a pivotal role in reshaping the continent’s defence technology sector. Their battlefield experience is proving invaluable in developing and refining cutting-edge solutions tailored to modern warfare.
Matt Kuppers, a former German army officer and co-founder of venture capital firm Defence Invest, exemplifies this trend. When evaluating an Austrian startup’s anti-drone weapons system, Kuppers identified a critical flaw that the civilian founders had overlooked: the heated gun barrel lost accuracy after prolonged firing. “This is something an experienced infantry soldier would instinctively account for by adjusting their aim,” Kuppers said. His insight highlights how veterans bring unique perspectives to defence technology development.
A Reuters analysis reveals that veterans lead a quarter of Europe’s over 80 defence startups, while the CEOs of the region’s top 10 defence contractors tend to lack military backgrounds. This shift underscores the growing recognition of the value that veterans bring to the sector.
The Ukraine war has created an unprecedented demand for tested technology, from kamikaze drones to AI-powered battle-planning software. Veteran-led startups are uniquely positioned to meet this demand, as they can rapidly refine products based on frontline experience. “You can’t solve a problem you don’t know – one you’ve never felt yourself,” said Marc Wietfeld, a former German officer and founder of unmanned ground vehicle maker ARX Robotics.
The conflict has also accelerated development timelines, compressing them from years to weeks or months. Rising NATO defence budgets are further fueling opportunities for soldier-entrepreneurs across Europe. Emmanuel Jacob, president of the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions, noted that long-serving soldiers are joining defence startups at the fastest pace he has seen in his 40-year career.
Veterans bring more than just technical expertise to the table. They also possess invaluable knowledge of military procurement processes, enhancing their value to startups navigating these complex systems. “I see people who spent their life in the military in Europe really seeing opportunities now for the first time,” said Ragnar Sass, founder of Estonian unicorn Pipedrive and backer of defence startups through the Darkstar consortium.
Several factors have driven the soldier-entrepreneur boom: Ukraine’s creation of new defence markets, record venture capital investment, and AI tools that accelerate product development. Florian Seibel, a former German helicopter pilot, co-founded drone maker Quantum Systems, now valued at $1 billion, and launched another drone company, Stark, last year.
Other veteran-led companies include Arondite, founded by a British Army officer making battle-planning software, and BlinkTroll, run by former Norwegian soldiers producing military training equipment. The low barrier to entry for drone technology has enabled rapid startup formation, allowing veterans to quickly bring their ideas to market.
Francisco Serra-Martins, an ex-Australian Army combat engineer and co-founder of Ukraine-based Terminal Autonomy, emphasised that veterans bring an edge beyond development. “Veterans see firsthand what solutions are missing on the battlefield… and have a deep understanding of what works, and what is hype and marketing,” he said. His firm has expanded from kamikaze drones into cruise missile development and now supplies drones to German defence AI startup Helsing.
A McKinsey analysis shows that European defence tech startup investment skyrocketed over 500% between 2021-2024 compared to 2018-2020, with military veterans playing key roles as founders, advisors, and investors. Veterans say starting a defence company is easier than joining established contractors, as technology has lowered barriers to entry and offered those with specialized skills the opportunity to become entrepreneurs.
Jan-Erik Saarinen, founder of Double Tap investments and former Finnish soldier, stressed the importance of having combat veterans involved in technology development for Ukraine. “Soldiers on the front line don’t have time to figure out technology while being shot at,” he said. “You need actual combat soldiers in your company if you’re providing technology to Ukraine.”
The expertise gap becomes critical when lives depend on the technology. Viktoriia Honcharuk, a Ukrainian soldier with the 3rd Assault Brigade, described how one unmanned vehicle looked great on paper but failed at the front lines, wasting 300,000 euros. “I wish more companies were founded by military people,” she said.
As the war in Ukraine continues to drive defence innovation, the role of veterans in Europe’s defence technology sector will likely become even more pronounced. Their unique insights and experiences are invaluable in developing the next generation of military solutions, shaping the future of European defence.