How Is Venture Capital and Silicon Valley Reshaping DefTech? | Peter W. Singer, Warfare Strategist

Can Silicon Valley disrupt national security—and at what cost?

In this clip, national-security expert and bestselling author Peter W. Singer explores the return of venture capital and start-ups to the defence sector. He traces how today’s disruptive defence start-ups build on a long history—from DARPA and the internet to Lockheed Martin—while navigating a risk environment very different from traditional defence primes.

Singer explains how venture-backed capital brings innovation, speed, and risk-taking to areas like AI, cyber operations, and small drones, but also introduces new risks for soldiers and taxpayers if products fail. He discusses the exit challenges for these start-ups—mergers, acquisitions, IPOs—and why profit margins, transparency, and sovereign-wealth funding raise unique political and ethical questions in national security.

Packed with real-world examples from iRobot to Lockheed Martin’s merger history, this conversation is essential viewing for anyone interested in defence technology, venture capital in security, and the future of the defence industry.

Watch the full conversation here:    • Are We Ready for Future Wars? | Peter Sing...