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The New Privatization of War: When Tech Companies Become Strategic Actors in National Security
What is the central argument of “The New Privatization of War”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The New Privatization of War: When Tech Companies Become Strategic Actors in National Security: The debate on the privatization of war. Defence-finance analysi…
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Original DFM publication · DFM Analysis report · 2025-08-22
The debate on the privatization of war has long been associated with private military companies and mercenaries. Yet the most significant transformation of recent years lies elsewhere: the rise of major private technology firms as indispensable actors for national defense and security.
SpaceX, through its Starlink satellite network, ensured the continuity of communications in Ukraine when traditional infrastructures had been severely compromised. Palantir, with its data analytics and artificial intelligence platforms, provides operational tools that are central to military planning and intelligence.
This analysis answers: What is the central argument of “The New Privatization of War”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets? What does this mean for European defence funding, procurement and investment decisions? How mature and defensible is the position described in “The New Privatization of War”? Which European actors, programmes and funding instruments are most exposed?
Key takeaways
- Palantir, with its data analytics and artificial intelligence platforms, provides operational tools that are central to military planning and intelligence.
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The New Privatization of War: When Tech Companies Become Strategic Actors in National Security
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What is The New Privatization of War: When Tech Companies Become Strategic Actors in National Security?
Yet the most significant transformation of recent years lies elsewhere: the rise of major private technology firms as indispensable actors for national defense and security.
Why does The New Privatization of War: When Tech Companies Become Strategic Actors in National Security matter for European defence?
SpaceX, through its Starlink satellite network, ensured the continuity of communications in Ukraine when traditional infrastructures had been severely compromised.
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