Defense AI startup Shield AI secured $2 billion in funding at a $12.7 billion valuation, as military AI investment accelerates in 2026.

The Pentagon signed new classified AI agreements with major technology firms including OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Microsoft and AWS.

The Pentagon's AI chief discussed expanded DOD use of Google Gemini following controversy over Anthropic access.

The U.S. Army has signed a 10-year enterprise contract worth up to $20 billion with defense tech startup Anduril Industries to deploy its AI-enabled Lattice software platform, consolidating over 120 separate procurement actions into a single unified command-and-control system.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp publicly criticized Anthropic's reluctance to work with the U.S. Department of Defense, arguing that AI companies refusing government defense contracts are undermining national security and that there has 'never been a sense' that such restrictions are justified.