Shield AI: America’s $12.7 Billion Defense Unicorn Bets on Greece

The U.S. defense technology company is establishing a long-term presence in Greece through a partnership with the Hellenic Army, collaboration with EFA Group, and plans for local support infrastructure, positioning the country as a strategic hub for autonomous defense systems in Southeastern Europe.

Shield AI, one of the fastest-growing defense technology companies in the United States, is rapidly expanding its footprint in Europe—and Greece has become one of its key strategic destinations.

The California-based company, now valued at $12.7 billion, has secured a contract with the Hellenic Army for its V-BAT autonomous unmanned aerial systems, while simultaneously building partnerships with Greece’s defense industry and exploring investments that could establish the country as a regional support hub for NATO operations.

Greece enters Shield AI’s European strategy

Earlier this month, Shield AI announced a new agreement with the Hellenic Army for the procurement of V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, designed to strengthen Greece’s land and maritime surveillance capabilities.

The company considers the Aegean Sea one of the world’s most demanding operational environments due to its extensive coastline, complex island geography, and persistent surveillance requirements.

The acquisition reflects Greece’s broader effort to integrate autonomous systems into its armed forces as the country modernizes its defense capabilities under its long-term defense transformation strategy.

V-BAT: Built for contested battlefields

Unlike conventional UAVs, the V-BAT requires no runway and can operate for more than 12 hours.

Its main competitive advantage is its ability to continue operating in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments, making it particularly suited for modern electronic warfare.

The system has already proven itself operationally in Ukraine, where it has been used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions under highly contested battlefield conditions.

Shield AI continues to operate research and development facilities inside Ukraine, incorporating real battlefield experience into the evolution of its autonomous technologies.

Establishing a permanent presence in Athens

The military contract is only one part of Shield AI’s broader strategy.

The company has confirmed plans to establish permanent offices in Athens while evaluating investments in maintenance, repair and technical support facilities for its autonomous systems.

Such infrastructure could transform Greece into a regional logistics and support center serving V-BAT operators across the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe.

Speaking during the Panathenea defense conference, Shield AI’s Director for Eastern and Southeastern Europe, James Lythgoe, stressed that defense companies must invest alongside armed forces long before procurement competitions begin.

Partnership with Greece’s EFA Group

During the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris, Shield AI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Greece’s EFA Group, one of the country’s leading defense technology companies.

The partnership focuses on integrating Shield AI’s artificial intelligence software into solutions tailored to the operational requirements of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The agreement also strengthens the participation of Greek industry in advanced defense technologies at a time when Europe seeks greater strategic autonomy and expanded domestic defense production.

Artificial intelligence moves onto the battlefield

Shield AI has built its business around operational autonomy rather than simply manufacturing drones.

Its flagship software platform, Hivemind, enables autonomous aircraft, helicopters, ships and other military platforms to execute missions even when communications are disrupted.

According to James Lythgoe, the critical question for modern militaries is no longer whether autonomous systems will become part of future operations—but how quickly they can be integrated.

He emphasized that autonomy does not eliminate human control. Mission objectives, rules of engagement and operational constraints continue to be defined by human commanders, while autonomous systems execute missions within those parameters.

From startup to defense unicorn

Founded in 2015 by former U.S. Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng and his brother Ryan Tseng, Shield AI has become one of the world’s leading defense technology companies alongside firms such as Anduril and Skydio.

Roughly half of its business now comes from autonomous software solutions, while the remainder derives from proprietary military platforms including the V-BAT.

Following a recent $2 billion funding round, the company reached a valuation of $12.7 billion.

According to company executives, more than 50% of Shield AI’s revenue now comes from international customers, reflecting accelerating demand across Europe and Asia.

Part of the new capital has already been used to acquire Aechelon Technology, while the remainder will support development of the company’s next generation of autonomous military systems.

A strategic opportunity for Greece

Shield AI’s recent moves suggest that Greece is becoming an increasingly important element of the company’s long-term European strategy.

The procurement of V-BAT systems by the Hellenic Army, the establishment of offices in Athens, cooperation with EFA Group and the exploration of local maintenance facilities all point toward deeper industrial integration.

As Europe accelerates investment in defense production and technological sovereignty, partnerships of this kind could enhance Greece’s role in the continent’s emerging defense-industrial ecosystem.

Sources: Shield AI (official announcements),Shield AI Press Release – Hellenic Army V-BAT procurement,Eurosatory 2026,Panathenea Conference,EFA Group,Defense News.Breaking Defense,Army Recognition,The Defense Post