Australia’s Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem, page-24

Yes, Ukraine has become a hotbed for defence innovation, particularly in AI and autonomous systems. But Brainchip’s Akida IP is not a turnkey drone or weapons system; it’s a neuromorphic processor designed for ultra-low-power, on-device AI. Integrating such tech into battlefield-ready platforms requires deep collaboration, long lead times, and often government-to-government facilitation. The fact that Brainchip hasn’t announced a Ukraine deployment doesn’t mean it’s asleep at the wheel; it may simply be focusing on commercial sectors where integration cycles are more predictable and scalable.

While Ukraine has received substantial international funding, defence procurement, even in wartime, isn’t a free-for-all. Companies must meet rigorous standards, navigate export controls, and often work through intermediaries. Fast-tracking is easier said than done, especially for IP-based firms like Brainchip that rely on partners to embed their tech into end products.

There’s no public evidence that Brainchip is on the Australian Government’s Sovereign Defence Contractors list or the ADM Top 40 Defence Contractors rankings. But that’s not necessarily a red flag. Many high-tech firms operate as subcontractors or IP licensors rather than prime contractors. Brainchip’s model is to license its Akida IP to chipmakers and OEMs, not to build and deliver defence platforms directly.

Anduril is a U.S.-based defence unicorn with billions in funding and a vertically integrated model. It builds full-stack autonomous systems like the Ghost Shark submarine in partnership with the Australian Defence Force. Brainchip, by contrast, is a fabless semiconductor IP company. Comparing the two is like asking why a software startup isn’t building fighter jets. Different missions, different business models.

In short, Brainchip’s absence from Ukraine or the Sovereign Defence list doesn’t imply failure; it reflects strategic focus, resource allocation, and the realities of defence tech integration. Not every opportunity is a fit, and not every fit is immediate.