Modern defence systems run on AI, from command software to the navigation and decision-making inside drones and missiles. Where firms like Scale AI built businesses labelling data for any and all models, Agon is wagering that defence AI will be far more specialised. “Our launch today reflects the critical need for Europe to establish its own sovereign defence AI capability,” co-founder Junaid Hussain said. Constant led Applied Intuition’s European defence business, was a senior director for Europe at Anduril, and spent 13 years in the British Army before that. Hussain is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded the defence startup Cambridge Aerospace and the AI gaming company Iconic.