Anduril Raises $5 Billion at $61 Billion Valuation as Defense Tech Boom Continues

Defense technology startup Anduril has raised $5 billion in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to $61 billion. The round was led by Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, according to the Financial Times.

The raise cements Anduril's position as one of the most valuable private defense technology companies in the world. The company builds drones, surveillance systems, and AI-enabled command software. Its Lattice AI command-and-control platform recently secured a $20 billion U.S. Army contract.

The funding round reflects a broader shift in venture capital toward defense technology. Silicon Valley investors who once avoided military contracts are now backing companies that can move faster than traditional defense contractors.

"Defense tech is no longer a fringe category for Silicon Valley," said one analyst following the sector. "With global military tensions rising, investors are backing companies that can deliver faster and at lower cost than legacy contractors."

Anduril was founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of the Oculus VR headset. The company has grown rapidly by applying software-first approaches to defense problems, competing directly with established contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon on certain programs.

The $5 billion raise comes as the U.S. government increases spending on autonomous systems, AI-enabled surveillance, and battlefield technology. The Pentagon has made AI a central priority in its modernization plans.

Anduril plans to use the new capital to expand its manufacturing capacity, hire engineers, and develop new products across its drone, sensor, and software lines.