Anduril Industries to Acquire Klas, Strengthening AI-Powered Defense Systems
AI-focused defense tech startup Anduril Industries announced it has signed a binding agreement to acquire Klas, an Ireland-based producer of tactical communications systems as reported by Reuters.
The acquisition is anticipated to strengthen Anduril's defense technology offerings by incorporating Klas' hardware into its autonomous warfare systems.
Boosting Communication and Control on the Battlefield
Klas produces small communication systems and internet equipment for military application, enabling troops to communicate and command drones even in environments that lack electricity or cellular signals. Through this deal, Anduril intends to integrate Klas' hardware into its Lattice software platform, which is the "central brain" of its AI-driven autonomous systems.
Lattice integrates sensor data from embedded sensors in different unmanned systems, creating real-time battlefield awareness and allowing for smooth cooperation between machines and human operators. This integration will increase Anduril's capability to provide advanced and autonomous defense solutions, a key element in contemporary warfare.
Klas Expansion Plans
According to Reuters, following the acquisition, Klas will continue operating from its existing facilities in both Ireland and the US. The company will also increase its manufacturing capacity to keep up with increased demand for its products and services in the defense industry.
The Klas deal is Anduril's ninth since its creation in 2017. The company, with backing from venture capital houses known for their celebrity connections, has quickly become one of the prominent players in defense technology.
The firm has been party to a number of high-profile partnerships, including its role with firms such as Palantir and SpaceX competing for a key component of President Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense system, as cited by Reuters.
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A Stronger Position in the Defense Technology Market
The integration of Klas adds further strength to Anduril's hold on the autonomous defense technology space, in accordance with its mission to create next-generation systems capable of bolstering national security.
This deal comes amid recent rumors that Anduril is in preparation for a new funding round that would value it at $28 billion, according to sources close to the matter.
