Ukrainian Soldiers Tell Defense Startups: "Please Make More Weapons"

Defense tech startups, military personnel and investors gathered at London's Resilience Conference under tight security. Attendees cleared stringent checks, followed strict no-photo policies and watched moderators in full military uniform.

NATO Innovation Fund chairs opened the conference with a stark warning. Russian drone attacks keep increasing in Ukraine. They estimated Europe could face elevated conflict within three to four years. European defense tech investment jumped from $114 million in 2016 to a projected $2.3 billion by end of 2025.

Two Ukrainian soldiers provided the conference's most striking moment. They described how their units work directly with startup founders at test sites to trial new technologies. The battlefield changes at a staggering pace. "Working strategically means working urgently," one soldier stated. They made a direct plea to the audience: "Please, make more weapons." The battlefield needs tools today rather than months from now.

Several critical themes emerged. Speed matters more than ever before. Products effective two or three months ago might already be obsolete according to frontline sources. Traditional defense procurement timelines cannot match modern battlefield threats.

Supply chain thinking is shifting across Europe. Nations face pressure to build manufacturing infrastructure capable of scaling for potential wartime demands. Traditional automotive or aerospace facilities may need to convert to defense production quickly.

Investors expressed caution despite high investment volumes. Multiple speakers warned about too many funds chasing identical themes. One venture capitalist remarked the sector needs more sophistication than simply throwing money at drones.

Startups must prioritize real-world deployment and speed. Moving from prototype to frontline use within months will separate winners from losers. Investors face higher risks than typical tech ventures. Longer timelines, regulatory complexity and actual combat deployment requirements should guide investment decisions.