When I was writing The Kill Chain, I realized that much of what I was saying had already been discussed for 25 years, highlighting how little action had been taken on those ideas.

The speed of change in defense technology has been surprising; I expected it to take longer for advancements to materialize, but they have occurred much faster than anticipated.

Five years later, it's remarkable to see a room full of founders in defense technology, with multiple companies valued over a billion dollars, actively working on capabilities for the Department of Defense.

The original vision at Anduril was to integrate commercial technology into defense systems, and now we are seeing that vision come to fruition with real weapons production and autonomous systems.

The conflict in Ukraine has been a significant catalyst, demonstrating that low-cost, autonomous systems can effectively engage traditional military assets like tanks and battleships.

The landscape of defense technology has changed dramatically post-Ukraine, with a surge of interest and investment in venture-backed defense companies, which were previously rare in Silicon Valley.

Now, there's a collective expectation in Washington for companies like Anduril to address major defense challenges, shifting from justifying our existence to being recognized as essential problem solvers. We've partnered with various companies that share our fast-paced, risk-tolerant DNA, which enhances our command and control capabilities.

In 2025, Anduril is operating at an incredible pace, consistently announcing new programs and products.

Anduril is not a startup anymore; we are a growing company that is navigating the complexities of defense contracts and production at scale.

Over the next five years, our focus will be on delivering systems at scale, including low-cost cruise missiles and autonomous vehicles, while proving we can meet government demands for quantity and timeliness.

We're excited about revolutionizing soldier capabilities on the battlefield through advanced systems that enhance agency and awareness beyond traditional limits.

The defense technology movement is thriving, with significant investment and interest from founders eager to build for national security, but we must remain vigilant about its sustainability.

My advice to the Department of Defense is to embrace a long-term perspective, understanding that iterative, fast-moving approaches are essential for developing effective technology.

Government partners are increasingly recognizing that the iterative process of developing technology is a feature, not a bug, and that it leads to better outcomes than traditional funding models.

Many in government have been waiting for innovative companies to deliver better technology, as they have experienced the limitations of outdated systems in their service.

If I were to update 'The Kill Chain' in 2025, I would emphasize the importance of production and manufacturing capabilities, which are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in defense.

The next frontier in defense technology is demonstrating that we can produce systems at scales that the traditional defense industry does not recognize, aiming for thousands or tens of thousands of units.