ESOX Group has unveiled plans to integrate a new generation of solid-state battery technology into defence platforms, marking a significant leap forward in military and security applications. The announcement comes on the heels of Donut Lab’s CES 2026 reveal of the world’s first production-ready solid-state battery, which ESOX is now adapting under a defence-specific licensing framework. The company is in the final stages of testing this technology with selected partners, with full-scale production set to ramp up in the second half of 2026.
While Donut Lab’s focus at CES 2026 was on passenger vehicles, ESOX is pioneering the application of solid-state batteries in defence and security, where safety, survivability, endurance, and supply-chain resilience are paramount. At the event, ESOX showcased its X1 interceptor drone and X2 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) technology demonstrator, both of which are designed to integrate this cutting-edge battery technology into uncrewed air and ground systems.
“As defence spending rises, so does demand for batteries across uncrewed systems and critical military technologies,” said Dan Walmsley, CEO of ESOX Group. “For Europe and its allies, ensuring an assured and resilient battery supply chain is becoming as important as performance itself. Our new solid-state technology offers a way to improve survivability, endurance, and safety while strengthening domestic and allied industrial capability.”
The solid-state battery technology introduced by ESOX and Donut Lab boasts an energy density of 400Wh/kg, enabling lighter battery packs without compromising capacity. This is particularly advantageous for aerial drones, where weight directly impacts range, endurance, and manoeuvrability. The batteries are also designed for extreme longevity, with a design life of up to 100,000 charge cycles and minimal capacity fade, reducing replacement frequency and lowering lifecycle costs.
Safety is another critical factor. The solid-state design eliminates flammable liquid electrolytes, thermal runaway chains, and metallic dendrites, significantly reducing the risk of battery fires. This enhances survivability when batteries are damaged, stressed, or exposed to hostile conditions. Performance has been validated across extreme temperatures, with the batteries retaining over 99% of capacity at –30°C and maintaining performance at temperatures exceeding 100°C, ensuring reliable operation in diverse and unpredictable environments.
Charging performance is equally crucial. Solid-state chemistry allows for rapid charging, supporting faster turnaround times and operational tempo. Additionally, the batteries can be produced in custom sizes, voltages, and geometries, enabling engineers to shape power systems around mission requirements, payload placement, and protection needs.
ESOX demonstrated the practical application of this technology through its X1 and X2 platforms. The X1 interceptor drone is a cost-effective counter-UAV platform designed for long-range communications, sensor integration, and AI-driven target acquisition. The prototype’s first flight is planned for January 2026, with an industrialised variant due in April. The X2 UGV technology demonstrator showcases ESOX’s integrated propulsion and control systems, powered by four 12-inch Theron Motors in a tank-steer configuration. This platform serves as a testbed for solid-state battery deployment and has attracted interest from UGV manufacturers seeking integrated propulsion solutions.
Batteries have become a strategic defence capability, enabling modern warfare across air, land, sea, and space domains. As NATO nations increase defence spending and adopt uncrewed and autonomous systems, the demand for advanced batteries is rising sharply. ESOX believes this moment presents an opportunity to strengthen European industrial capability, reduce supply-chain risk, and deploy new battery technologies that enhance battlefield performance.
A key aspect of the solid-state battery technology is its supply-chain profile. The batteries are made entirely from abundant, affordable, and geopolitically safe materials, reducing dependency on rare or sensitive elements. This aligns with NATO and allied industrial strategies, supporting a “designed in Europe, built in Europe” approach.
Solid-state batteries form one element of a broader ESOX technology stack, which includes high-torque, low-signature electric propulsion, no-code software environments for rapid control-system development, and Digital Twin 2.0 simulation. By integrating these capabilities, ESOX aims to shorten development cycles, reduce deployment risk, and deliver systems guided by mission needs rather than fixed technology constraints.
Visitors to CES 2026 can view the scaled X1 model, the X2 demonstrator, and live video demonstrations on the ESOX stand in the West Hall (5759). This strategic move by ESOX Group underscores the growing importance of advanced battery technology in defence and security, setting the stage for a new era of innovation and resilience in military applications.