REG - Defence Holdings PLC - Defence Holdings and Whitespace Sign LOI

Defence HoldingsAnnouncement

14/08/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 2464V  Defence Holdings PLC   14 August 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

14 August 2025
London, UK
Defence Holdings PLC
("Defence" or "the Company")
Defence Holdings and Whitespace Sign LOI in Landmark Sovereign AI Infrastructure Agreement

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK's first listed software-led defence
company, has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Whitespace
(http://www.white.space) , a leading UK technology company specialising in AI
infrastructure for defence, national security, and regulated public sector
operations.

The LOI sets out the intent to form a long term, strategic partnership that
will accelerate the development and deployment of sovereign, software-first
capabilities across UK and allied defence environments. This move supports
Defence Holdings' five-year strategic plan to build deployable software
infrastructure at the speed and scale modern threats demand.

Key Highlights

●    Whitespace's technology is already operational within classified
defence environments, including deployment on a UK naval platform, and is
trusted within secure national security programmes.

●    Whitespace is a founding member of Oracle Defense Ecosystem, giving
Defence Holdings access to a multinational network of defence-aligned
innovation.

●    Strategic partnership enables immediate development on Collective
OS, a trusted AI Operating System already integrated into defence and
government settings.

●    Accelerates Defence Holdings' Five-Year Plan by embedding proven
sovereign AI infrastructure into its product development strategy.

●    Unlocks deeper relationships across defence agencies, primes, and
national security partners through Whitespace's established footprint.

●    Initial deployments targeted this financial year, with focus areas
including autonomous decision-making, secure intelligence analysis, and
multi-domain situational awareness.

Strategic Rationale

As the global defence sector shifts from hardware-led to software-first,
demand is growing for deployable AI solutions that meet military-grade
standards of trust, auditability, and resilience. Traditional contractors are
struggling to adapt fast enough, creating space for sovereign, software-native
players.

The strategic partnership will combine Defence Holdings' domain expertise with
Whitespace's proven infrastructure to accelerate delivery of next-generation
defence applications, including:

●    Autonomous decision support systems

●    Secure intelligence analysis and threat detection

●    Multi-domain situational awareness platforms

●    Adaptive cybersecurity for critical infrastructure

This collaboration enhances Defence Holdings' ability to rapidly build and
deploy software-led capabilities while meeting the stringent requirements of
defence-grade security, compliance, and interoperability.

 

Whitespace Credentials

Whitespace is a UK-based AI infrastructure company delivering trusted,
regulated deployments across defence, intelligence, and public sector
environments. Its platform, Collective OS, is used within live Ministry of
Defence programmes and national security environments to safely deploy AI at
the tactical edge. The company is also a founding member of the Oracle Defense
Ecosystem, supporting allied efforts to accelerate secure AI adoption across
defence domains.

Whitespace's technology powers AI deployed on a UK warship and is already
integrated into secure government networks, offering Defence Holdings
immediate access to infrastructure, credibility, and active partner channels
across the national security community.

 

Updated Presentation

A new corporate presentation providing further detail on the Company's
strategy and the Whitespace strategic partnership is now available on the
Defence Holdings website.

 

Leadership Commentary

James Norwood, Chair of Defence Holdings, commented:

"This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment for Defence Holdings.
Together with Whitespace, we are integrating operationally proven AI
infrastructure into our platform, creating the foundation to deliver sovereign
software capabilities at real speed and scale. It's a major leap forward and
positions us to move at the pace modern defence demands."

Andrew McCartney, Senior Non-Executive Director of Defence Holdings added:

"We're at an inflection point in how defence capabilities are conceived,
built, and deployed. The era of AI-native, software-first systems is here.
This strategic partnership gives us the ability to rapidly deliver trusted,
deployable infrastructure into defence settings where speed, auditability, and
mission alignment are non-negotiable. It's a powerful alignment of mission,
technology, and timing and I'm thrilled to help lead the charge."

 

 

The strategic partnership will be formally established following final legal
agreement in the coming days. Joint development projects are expected to begin
immediately, with initial commercial deployments targeted within the current
financial year. This alliance places Defence Holdings at the forefront of the
software-led defence transition, pairing trusted AI infrastructure with
operational agility and mission-led focus.

 

About Defence Holdings PLC

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK's first listed software-led defence
company. Its five-year strategic plan focuses on delivering sovereign digital
capabilities across national security, resilience, and defence readiness.

 

Media Enquiries
Brian Stockbridge, Director

Defence Holdings PLC

Tel: +44 (0)20 3855 5551 · Email: press@defencetechnologies.com

 

 

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