UK scale-up Arondite to supply AI software to commandos

UK scale-up Arondite has secured a multi-million-pound contract from the UK Government to supply the Royal Navy with its Cobalt integration software.

Announced by the government on 12 November, the deal aims to help integrate Royal Marine commando systems, including sensors, autonomous platforms and data feeds, into a “unified fighting system”, the authority said.

The system will be deployed across commando units, helping to accelerate their decision-making in complex and contested environments, according to the government.

What is Cobalt?

Arondite describes Cobalt as a “mission orchestration platform” that connects sensors and effectors together, allowing operators to control multiple different platforms from a single mission system.  

The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team is already deploying Cobalt, which the company says is “integrating and orchestrating the brigade’s entire suite” of systems.

What else is Arondite doing?

The contract comes as Arondite announces a GBP35 million investment in Norway over the next five years to scale its work with the Norwegian Armed Forces and industry. The company will open its first international office in Oslo, Norway.

Arondite is making the system available to Norwegian units for joint testing with the UK during “upcoming deployments”, in line with the Northern Navies Initiative, the UK Government said. 

The Northern Navies Initiative, announced by the UK First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins on 10 November at the Atlantic Future Forum in Oslo aims to strengthen maritime co-operation among nations participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force.  

Along with expanding into Norway, Arondite is working with Babcock to integrate Cobalt into the latter’s ‘ARMOUR Force’ concept (Autonomous and Remote, Maritime Operational Response Force). Unveiled in December 2025, the concept aims to enable a Royal Navy Type 31 frigate to command a networked fleet of uncrewed vessels.

Arondite is a London-based defence AI company co-founded in 2023 by Will Blyth, a former British Army officer who CEO.