Saronic, an #autonomous surface vessel maker, secured $175 million in Series B #funding at a $1 #billion valuation, led by Andreessen Horowitz, making it the latest unicorn in the #defense #tech sector. Additional investors include 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil, and NightDragon. The Austin, Texas-based startup, founded in 2022, designs and manufactures water surface #drones for the U.S. Navy and has raised $245 million to date.

This funding comes shortly after Germany-based Helsing raised $489 million, led by General Catalyst, at a $5.4 billion valuation. Helsing develops #AI software to enhance weapons capabilities in drones and jets and improve battlefield decision-making.

With these new rounds, global venture funding in defense tech has surpassed $1 billion this year, according to Crunchbase.