Defence Holdings has launched Project Ixian, its first sovereign artificial intelligence product designed to counter information operations.
Following a recent announcement regarding a tie-up with AI hyperscalers and the MoD that sent shares into the stratosphere, the firm has revealed its first AI product targeting information warfare.
Information operations involve controlling, distorting or denying information to destabilise societies and undermine institutions. These encompass disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, narrative manipulation and digital sabotage—threats the UK Strategic Defence Review 2025 identified as requiring urgent sovereign capability.
Project Ixian was developed alongside one of the world’s leading technology giants and Defence Holdings’ engineers worked directly with the partner’s team to integrate AI-native cloud infrastructure, embedding hyperscale capability from launch. Development involved workshops with frontline UK military personnel.
The company said the collaboration provides sovereign-grade resilience, but Defence Holdings will have to prove its scalability and revenue generation capabilities to justify the recent rally in the share price. The firm hasn’t made any indication of how much revenue the new project could generate for the firm.
The tool will enter its first commercial phase in December.
Live threat
The company highlighted recent operations that demonstrate information warfare’s immediate danger and the need for Project Ixian.
Russia’s Operation Doppelgänger has impersonated European media outlets to spread disinformation across UK and EU audiences. Meanwhile, Telegram networks have recruited individuals for sabotage operations, including arson attacks on British and European infrastructure.
These hybrid tactics—combining digital disinformation with physical disruption—highlight the urgent need for sovereign information operation capabilities. The government has recognised this priority through the National Security Act 2023, the forthcoming Cyber & Electromagnetic Command, and the Cyber Resilience Bill.
Project Ixian aligns with these initiatives, potentially benefiting from increased government spending on sovereign digital resilience.
“Information is infrastructure, and it is under attack right now,” said Andy McCartney, Chief Technology Officer, Defence Holdings.
“Project Ixian shows how Defence Technologies is moving from strategy to live delivery, embedding sovereign capability in one of the most contested domains of modern defence. Working alongside a Magnificent 7 hyperscale partner, we are ensuring that the UK can detect and disrupt hostile campaigns with sovereign tools that are resilient, scalable, and trusted at allied level. We’re proud that Project Ixian will be the first of our products to move into the field, proving our ability to deliver capability where it matters most.”
Defence Holdings shares were up 2% at the time of writing.