Anduril: Trump-linked US defence firm eyes UK military contracts

Anduril Industries, a U.S.-based defense technology firm linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is expanding its presence in the United Kingdom, seeking lucrative military contracts amid heightened global tensions. The company, which previously supplied drones to Ukraine under a £30 million deal facilitated by the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD), has significantly increased its workforce in the UK, employing over 150 people, many of them former defense officials, with at least 50 having served in the armed forces. The expansion comes after a government briefing note obtained by openDemocracy highlighted concerns about Anduril’s reluctance to invest in the UK without securing MoD contracts. The document, dated May 2025, warned that any future investment by the company would depend on both contractual agreements and potential government co-investment. However, within a year, Anduril has transformed its UK operation, now staffing it with individuals familiar with the MoD’s internal processes. Anduril is among four defense-tech firms chosen to participate in the MoD’s Wingman drone program, which aims to develop autonomous drones capable of assisting military helicopters in combat. Each participating firm received £2.5 million to prototype their designs, with the winner set to secure an initial contract valued at approximately £200 million. The project is part of the broader Defense Investment Plan (DIP), which allocates £220 million to the initiative and targets the delivery of up to 24 autonomous drones by 2030. The firm’s growing influence in the UK reflects a broader trend of U.S. defense companies aligned with Trump’s political circle capitalizing on rising defense budgets and geopolitical uncertainties. Anduril, founded in 2017 in California, received early backing from Peter Thiel, a billionaire known for his financial support of Trump and as a co-founder of Palantir Technologies, a controversial data analytics firm with extensive ties to the UK government, including contracts with the National Health Service, police forces, and the MoD. Anduril’s founder, Brian Luckey, was a vocal supporter of Trump during his first presidential campaign and has since become a major fundraiser for the Republican Party. Alongside Palantir, Anduril has emerged as one of the largest suppliers of defense technology to the U.S. government, providing drones, border surveillance systems, and software solutions. In addition to its work on the Wingman program, Anduril has already established itself in the UK market by supplying software and autonomous sentry towers to the UK Border Force. These towers have also been deployed to protect military installations such as RAF Akrotiri, which has supported U.S. operations in Gaza. The company is also a critical partner in Project ASGARD, a MoD initiative aimed at enhancing the lethality of the British Army through advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Project ASGARD is part of the larger £1 billion Digital Targeting Web program, designed to improve the speed and accuracy of military targeting decisions. Anduril contributes to this effort through its Lattice software, which integrates and analyzes data from multiple sources in real-time using AI algorithms. The recent focus on increasing lethality aligns with statements from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who frequently emphasizes the need for more aggressive military capabilities. This rhetoric appears to be influencing defense procurement strategies in both the U.S. and the UK, creating opportunities for firms like Anduril that specialize in cutting-edge military technology. As the UK continues to bolster its defense infrastructure, the involvement of U.S. firms with deep political connections raises questions about the balance between national security interests and corporate influence. With Anduril now firmly embedded in the UK defense landscape, its role in shaping future military capabilities is likely to grow.