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The Rise of ‘Neoprimes’: How Silicon Valley is Reshaping national Security and Deterrence
(Image: A compelling, high-quality image depicting a blend of technology and military/defence elements. Think a futuristic interface overlaid on a map, or a drone in a dynamic setting. Alt text: “Defense Technology Innovation”)
For decades, the U.S. Department of Defense has recognized the critical importance of technological superiority in maintaining national security. From hypersonics and advanced computing to energy resilience, space technology, integrated sensing, and cybersecurity, a select group of technologies have been identified as foundational to future defense capabilities. But the nature of conflict is evolving, and a new force is emerging to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape: a network of Silicon Valley-backed companies, dubbed “neoprimes,” are fundamentally altering how the U.S. approaches defense, deterrence, and national security.This shift isn’t just about new weapons; it’s about a new approach to defense, driven by innovation, agility, and a deep understanding of the modern battlefield.
The Post-9/11 Paradigm Shift and the Return of great Power Competition
The aftermath of 9/11 saw the U.S. military heavily focused on counterterrorism operations. As Ernestine Fu Mak, co-founder of MilVet angels (MVA), explains, “In a post-9/11 world, the entire Department of Defense effectively focused on… the global war on terrorism. It was our military versus insurgents, guerrillas, asymmetric warfare, relatively low-tech fighters in most cases.” This era prioritized responding to immediate threats from non-state actors.
However, the strategic surroundings has dramatically shifted. The rise of near-peer adversaries has ushered in an era of “great power competition,” demanding a re-evaluation of defense priorities. “The focus is more on deterring and competing with [adversaries] in these very high-tech, multi-domain conflicts,” Mak emphasizes. This new reality necessitates a move beyond customary warfare paradigms.
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“The battlefield is changing and new technologies are needed… warfare no longer being limited to land, sea, air. There’s also cyber and space domains that have become contested.”
– Ernestine Fu Mak,Co-founder,MilVet Angels
The Expanding Battlefield: Beyond Land,Sea,and Air
The traditional domains of warfare – land,sea,and air – are no longer sufficient. Modern conflict now extends into the cyber and space domains, creating a complex, multi-dimensional battlespace. This expansion demands new technologies and strategies to maintain a competitive edge. The need for robust cybersecurity capabilities to protect critical infrastructure and communication networks is paramount. Similarly, the ability to operate effectively in space – for communication, navigation, and surveillance – is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
This shift is driving the Department of Defense to rapidly assess and adopt “dual-use” technologies – innovations with both commercial and military applications. As former DoD official, Joe Darby, notes, “So things like artificial intelligence and autonomy have broad, sweeping commercial applications, but they’re also clearly a force multiplier in a military context.” The DoD is actively signaling its needs to the investment world and the defense industrial base, creating a clear roadmap for innovation.
The ’Neoprime’ Revolution: A New Breed of defense Contractor
This demand has fueled the emergence of “neoprimes” – a new generation of defense companies,often originating in Silicon Valley,that are challenging the traditional defense industrial complex. Unlike legacy contractors, neoprimes are characterized by their agility, speed of innovation, and willingness to embrace cutting-edge technologies. They are not simply building weapons; they are building systems - integrated solutions that leverage AI, machine learning, and other advanced technologies to enhance situational awareness, improve decision-making, and increase operational effectiveness.
MilVet Angels, a syndicate of investors with deep ties to the tech industry, the military, and the intelligence community, is at the forefront of this revolution. Founded in 2021, MVA quietly began backing promising defense tech