Modern Warfare’s Billion Dollar Pivot | Tech Startups Challenging Big Defence
Edited By WION Video Desk
Published: Mar 12, 2026, 11:00 IST | Updated: Mar 12, 2026, 11:00 IST
As West Asia spirals into high-intensity missile and drone exchanges, the economics of modern warfare are shifting. Low-tech systems like the Shahhed-136, a moped-engine drone, are proving devastatingly cost-effective, disrupting the billion-dollar traditional defence market. Legacy giants like Lockheed Martin and RTX struggle to scale production of $4 million Patriot interceptors, while agile startups are winning the “war of burn rates” with faster, cheaper, and innovative solutions.
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