The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as retained as part of the law of England and Wales. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 August 2025

London, UK

Defence Holdings PLC

("Defence" or "the Company")

Defence Holdings Completes Strategic Partnership with Whitespace to Deliver Sovereign AI Infrastructure for Defence Applications

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK's first listed software-led defence company, is pleased to announce that it has completed a binding Strategic Partnership with Whitespace Global Limited ("Whitespace"), a leading UK deep-technology company specialising in AI infrastructure for defence, national security, and regulated public sector operations.

The agreement formalises the framework for Defence Holdings and Whitespace to co-develop a portfolio of defence-focused software applications and AI agents on Whitespace's proprietary Collective OS platform, with the first builds for the UK Ministry of Defence and allied partners already underway.

●    The partnership's first AI product is already under development for the UK Ministry of Defence. While details remain part of an operationally classified programme, it represents a commercially significant opportunity with long-term deployment potential.

●    Already engaged with one of the world's leading technology providers to accelerate deployment timelines and support scalability.

●    Framework to co-develop a portfolio of sovereign AI applications on Collective OS for high-priority defence and national security use cases.

●    Defence Holdings to invest in initial AI capability builds, securing long-term commercial upside through a revenue share and structured cost recovery on deployment.

●    Applications to deliver operational advantage in mission-critical domains, including autonomous decision-making, secure intelligence fusion, multi-domain situational awareness, protection of critical national infrastructure, and information domain dominance, encompassing both information and disinformation warfare.

●    Joint IP ownership with flexibility to spin out projects into Special Purpose Vehicles for broader allied deployment, with Defence Holdings retaining majority control.

●    Creates one of very few UK-listed platforms with the infrastructure, operational traction, and capital market access to challenge foreign incumbents and establish a sovereign AI leader in defence technology.

Strategic Significance

This Strategic Partnership combines Defence Holdings' capital markets access, strategic vision, and defence relationships with Whitespace's proven infrastructure, already operational within classified defence environments, including deployment on a UK naval platform. The agreement accelerates Defence Holdings' five-year plan to build sovereign, deployable software capabilities at the speed modern defence demands.

This combination creates one of very few UK-listed platforms with the infrastructure, operational traction, and capital market access to challenge foreign incumbents and establish a sovereign AI leader in defence technology.

Leadership Commentary

Andrew McCartney, Chief Technology Officer of Defence Holdings, commented:

"This partnership enables us to turn strategic intent into operational capability at unprecedented speed. We have the people, the platform, and the market access to deliver applications that matter and to do so at the pace and scale modern defence operations require. The pace at which our first programmes are progressing underlines the scale of the commercial opportunity ahead."

Paul Jenkinson Chief Executive Officer of Whitespace, added:

"We are hugely excited to be working alongside Defence Holdings. From the very first conversation, it was clear that this partnership would be built on pace, professionalism, and a shared determination to tackle some of the UK's most pressing defence challenges. By combining our proven AI infrastructure with Defence Holdings' market access and strategic ambition, we can accelerate the delivery of mission-critical applications and embed ourselves deeply in the problems that matter most to national security."

James Norwood, Chairman of Defence Holdings, added:

"Concluding this agreement is a defining step for Defence Holdings. By integrating Whitespace's operationally proven AI infrastructure into our platform, we are positioned to rapidly deliver sovereign software capabilities that meet the highest levels of trust, resilience, and mission-readiness."

About Defence Holdings PLC (ALRT)

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK's first listed software-led defence company. Its five-year strategic plan focuses on delivering sovereign digital capabilities across national security, resilience, and defence readiness.

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Media Enquiries
Brian  Stockbridge,  Director
Defence Holdings PLC
Tel: +44 (0)20 3855 5551 · Email: press@defencetechnologies.com