An Arms Dealer Joins Silicon Valley’s Military Boom

For years, Will Somerindyke sold weapons of war around the world: artillery shells to Ukraine, grenades to U.S.-backed rebels in Syria. With relationships with dozens of top military buyers, he quickly turned his company Regulus Global into one of America’s major international arms dealers.

Now, as Silicon Valley investors swarm to back multi-billion dollar defense startups with increasing fervor, Somerindyke is looking to make the jump from munitions middleman to manufacturer. He’s been quietly working on Union, a new venture-backed startup he claims will modernize ammunition factories with autonomous robotics and precision machining.

“I’ve been through a lot in 18 years in this space,” Somerindyke told Forbes. “If Union does its job correctly, we will be building millions of square feet of facilities with the ability to make a wide range of defense products.”

Union, which Somerindyke leads as CEO, appears to have made a solid start. In April it secured a massive $50 million seed funding round led by Bravo Victor Venture Capital, or BVVC. Other investors include Silent Ventures, IronGate, and RKKVC, a Poland-based single-family office. It plans to open its first artillery shell factory in Texas next month. And it recently secured a contract to sell those shells, which, if fulfilled, could bring in up to $225 million, according to Somerindyke.

But instead of approaching the problem with old-school manufacturing, Somerindyke and Musselman, who met more than a decade ago through a program for veterans, saw an opportunity to modernize weapons manufacturing, are using Silicon Valley software talent to implement autonomous systems. Since incorporating in October, Union has hired a suite of engineers from Tesla, SpaceX and Anduril.

Musselman has touted recent momentum to “reindustrialize” America and bring manufacturing back to the U.S. as necessary to combatting China’s manufacturing superiority. Other companies have joined the effort, including Hadrian, which does autonomous manufacturing, and Re:Build, a Massachusetts-based company that has been acquiring mom-and-pop factories and modernizing them; both could compete with Union’s entry into the market. Mussleman has also invested in other defense companies; after starting BVVC in 2023, he has written checks into drone company Firestorm and autonomous submarine startup Vatn Systems.

At the Texas facility, set to open this month, Union hopes to produce more than 300,000 shells next year, according to a company pitch deck shared with seed investors in January. By 2030, Union has told its investors, it plans to produce nine million shells a year, which it hopes will generate $3.5 billion in revenue.

Those are lofty figures. But Musselman sees the ongoing turbulence in the world — conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East — as proof of Union’s thesis. “We are running at a deficit of stockpiles or anything that goes boom around the world,” he said. “And that’s going to be a leverage point for our adversaries.”

The Silicon Valley Shift Toward Defense

Historically, Silicon Valley was synonymous with innovation aimed at transforming everyday life — from social media platforms and smartphones to cloud computing and renewable energy. However, with escalating global tensions and rapid advancements in technology, the defense sector has become a major growth area for tech companies. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and various allied governments have aggressively pursued collaborations with private tech firms to leverage cutting-edge AI, machine learning, robotics, and cybersecurity solutions.

This pivot is not without controversy. Many Silicon Valley employees and activists have raised ethical concerns about their work being used for warfare and surveillance. Despite this, the defense market offers lucrative contracts and substantial funding, enticing startups and tech giants alike. It’s almost like playing Bandar Slot high stakes with potentially massive rewards, but the risk is very real.

Enter the Arms Dealer

Amid this backdrop, the entrance of an arms dealer into Silicon Valley’s military boom is both surprising and telling. Traditionally associated with the global arms trade, which often operates in secrecy and controversy, this dealer brings a wealth of experience in weapons procurement, international military logistics, and defense supply chains. Their decision to engage directly with Silicon Valley’s tech ecosystem underscores the growing convergence of traditional arms trading and modern military technology development.

This arms dealer is not merely an outsider trying to exploit a new market. Instead, they have positioned themselves as a key intermediary and strategist, facilitating connections between startups developing novel weapon systems and government agencies seeking rapid innovation. Their deep understanding of international defense procurement processes and market dynamics provides an advantage in navigating the complex landscape of military contracts.

Why Silicon Valley?

Silicon Valley offers an unparalleled innovation ecosystem. The concentration of engineers, entrepreneurs, venture capital, and research institutions creates fertile ground for rapid technological advances. For an arms dealer accustomed to dealing in physical weaponry, Silicon Valley’s shift towards software-driven defense technologies presents a unique opportunity.

Emerging technologies such as autonomous drones, AI-powered surveillance systems, and cyber warfare tools require new types of expertise. The dealer’s move into this space highlights a recognition that future conflicts will increasingly rely on technological superiority rather than sheer firepower alone.

Furthermore, Silicon Valley’s culture of disruption and agility contrasts sharply with the traditional, bureaucratic defense sector. This environment allows for faster prototyping, testing, and deployment of new military applications, which is attractive for both government clients and commercial investors. It’s a high-tech game, not unlike chasing the elusive Slot Maxwin, where precision and speed determine the winner.

The Role of Venture Capital and Private Funding

One of Silicon Valley’s defining characteristics is its vibrant venture capital ecosystem. Traditionally, arms dealing relied on government contracts and state sponsorship. However, in the Valley, private funding plays a critical role in nurturing innovation.

The arms dealer’s entry into this ecosystem involves not only brokering deals but also attracting venture capital investment into defense startups. By bridging the gap between military clients and private investors, the dealer accelerates the flow of capital into technologies with potential military applications.

This shift raises important questions about transparency and accountability. Unlike traditional government procurement, where oversight mechanisms exist, private funding can enable more opaque development of weapons technology. The combination of private money and cutting-edge tech creates a complex environment where military innovation moves faster than regulatory frameworks can keep up.

Ethical and Geopolitical Implications

The integration of an arms dealer into Silicon Valley’s military boom amplifies existing ethical debates surrounding the militarization of technology. Critics worry about the consequences of commercializing warfare technology and the risks of autonomous weapons systems operating without human oversight.

Moreover, the involvement of actors with backgrounds in the arms trade introduces additional concerns about arms proliferation and the potential misuse of advanced weaponry. As startups develop increasingly sophisticated military tools, questions arise about who controls these technologies and how they are deployed.

Geopolitically, Silicon Valley’s defense boom also reflects broader shifts in global power dynamics. The U.S. aims to maintain its technological edge over rivals like China and Russia, and private sector innovation is key to this strategy. The presence of an arms dealer as a facilitator indicates the blurring lines between commercial enterprise, government interests, and traditional arms trading networks.

The Future of Military Innovation in Silicon Valley

Looking ahead, the role of non-traditional players such as arms dealers in Silicon Valley’s military boom is likely to grow. As warfare becomes more technology-driven, the ability to rapidly connect innovation with military needs will be paramount.

This transformation could lead to faster development of advanced defense systems, but it also demands robust ethical guidelines and international cooperation. Transparency in funding, clear rules of engagement for autonomous systems, and oversight of the weapons trade must evolve alongside technological progress.

For Silicon Valley, balancing innovation with responsibility will define its legacy in the defense sector. The entrance of an arms dealer into this space is a stark reminder that the stakes are high — not only in terms of profit but also for global security and human lives.