This Week in Dual-Use by Sam Burrell

Jan. 28, 2026 - Major developments in dual-use and defence tech.

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Blue Origin will launch TeraWave

Blue Origin’s TeraWave satellite internet launch signals Bezos’s challenge to SpaceX and highlights how critical space-based infrastructure has become. With Starlink’s growing dominance raising geopolitical and resilience concerns—especially in Europe—governments are increasingly motivated to support alternative, sovereign satellite systems.

Russian technology shuts down Starlink in Iran

Iran’s reported disruption of Starlink using Russian technology foreshadows a future where satellite connectivity is routinely contested by states. As satellite links move from niche backup to mass-market infrastructure, jamming and spoofing will become standard tools of control, sharpening the need for hardened, sovereign satellite capabilities—particularly for Europe.

Ukraine & Germany pause Helsing strike drone orders

Ukraine’s pause on Helsing drone orders underscores the gap between peacetime European defence tech and battle-tested Ukrainian systems. As Ukrainian firms begin exporting proven technology into Europe, competition for defence contracts will intensify, raising questions about whether companies like Helsing can compete beyond their home markets.

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Samuel Burrell is a Partner at Expeditions, investing in the future of security in Europe.

His weekly newsletter covers developments in dual-use and defence technologies, picking out the changes in the sector, giving them context and analysis.