From the frontline

When I was little, I asked my Dad why everyone didn't put down their weapons, and then there'd be no war. He replied that regrettably, a strong defence is the best chance you have of protection. While a strong defence used to mean ships and soldiers, these days it can mean the US Government backing an Aussie scandium mine, the sale of an Australian-owned US shipyard, and new tariffs on drones.

The battleground is now shifting and supply chains have become the security concern. Governments have stopped asking where things get made and started deciding who owns them. Today I saw that first hand at the listing ceremony of SCX.ai, the first sovereign AI company to list on ASX. 

For investors, defence is becoming less about the battlefield and more about who controls the technologies, resources and supply chains behind the military equipment and intelligence gathering services used in it.

To your investing,

US Pentagon backs a mine in central New South Wales

The U.S. Department of War has conditionally committed up to US$400 million towards Sunrise Energy Metals’ (ASX:SRL) Syerston Scandium Project in New South Wales in an effort to secure long-term supply. Scandium is used to make lightweight alloys for aircraft, advanced semiconductors and fuel cells powering AI data centres and Syerston is being developed as a largescale, long-life and low-cost source of primary scandium outside China. Here's the full announcement

Drone market expected to more than double by 2036

Drones are no longer just experimental gadgets - they're now essential tools in defence, military, farming, delivery, energy, safety surveillance and security work. A new report by IDTechEx has predicted the global drone market will grow from $69 billion this year to $147.8 billion by 2036. This boom is driven by clearer regulations, better technology, cheaper hardware and a shift toward smarter more autonomous drones.

Amaero Inc (ASX:3DA) - US defence, critical metals, manufacturing & Nasdaq IPO

3DA Chairman & CEO Hank Holland discusses how it’s scaling its Tennessee facility for defence and aerospace, the US manufacturing opportunity, defence contracts, production ramp-up and pathway towards an IPO on the Nasdaq.

WhiteHawk (ASX:WHK) - Accelerating cyber growth through AI & defence partnerships

WHK Non-Executive Chair Giuseppe Porcelli discusses WhiteHawk’s appointment of Adrian Vallino as Group CEO, a strategic partnership with Australian defence-focused IT provider, customer renewals, program expansions and new engagements.

Boresight (ASX:BST) - Scaling target drones for a bigger defence market

BST Managing Director Justin Olde discusses the company’s ASX listing in June following an $8 million IPO and revenue growing 55% over the past year, driven by increased Australian Defence Force engagement and international demand.

DroneShield (ASX:DRO) - Launches RfRecon portable radio frequency

DRO launches RfRecon, a portable radio frequency (RF) intelligence system designed to help defence, government and security operators detect, identify and locate activity across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Nodestream (ASX:NS1) - Strengthens US defence and aerospace market strategy

NS1 strengthens its US defence and aerospace market strategy through an engagement with US-based strategic advisory firm Waypoint Strategic Partners, supporting the company’s transition from assessing the market to executing its US entry.

Evion Group (ASX:EVG) - Joins US Department of Defense’s Cornerstone Consortium

EVG joins the US Department of Defense’s Cornerstone Consortium, enhancing the critical minerals company’s visibility and its ability to respond to selected US defence industrial base opportunities.

SCX.ai Holdings (ASX:SCX) celebrates ASX listing today

Australia's sovereign AI platform SCX.ai Holdings (ASX:SCX) has listed on the ASX, becoming one of Australia’s newest pure-play sovereign AI infrastructure companies following its $40 million IPO. SCX.ai CEO David Keane, discusses the listing, AI infrastructure race and plans to accelerate the business. Watch today’s interview with David here

Disclaimer

_{The material contained in this email is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial or legal advice. None of our material should be regarded as advice and you should not rely on any of the content of this post without first obtaining specific professional advice.}

_{We give no warranty to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of information that is contained in this email and exclude liability for any loss.}

_{This email may contain views and opinions which are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other author, agency, organisation, employer or company. We are not liable for any comment published by users and reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever.}

_{We have commercial relationships with some of our contributors, and we may receive payment or other benefits from this email.}

_{Please see our full content disclaimer}