Solus Power secures MOD contract to develop next generation portable battery system ‘Kratos’

Solus Power has secured a contract with the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to further develop its novel dual use battery technology, Kratos.

Awarded through DASA’s themed competition, Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation, the funding will accelerate development of Solus Power’s military grade portable battery unit.

Working in collaboration with DASA and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Solus Power will advance Kratos towards field testing. Dstl, acting as technical partner, will ensure the technology meets the operational requirements of the Royal Navy’s Future Commando Force, which is funding the work.

Kratos has been recognized for its ability to enhance deployed self-sufficiency and endurance across maritime, land, and air domains, while reducing logistical burden and optimizing power and energy use.

Solus Power’s Kratos technology presents a ruggedized and portable lithium-ion battery pack described as a ‘Jerry can of electricity’ to provide rapid DC-to-DC charging. Its scalable architecture allows users to link multiple units for higher energy demands, making it ideal for powering field command centers, medical units, and disaster relief.

Kratos is tactically portable, suitable for hand-carry, vehicle mounting, or drone deployment. Its low heat signature and silent operation enhance operational stealth, making it a dependable power source for missions where discretion is critical.

“We're delighted that Solus Power’s Kratos has been recognized for its game-changing potential, and we're excited to be working with DASA and the MOD to further develop the technology,” says Stas Leonidou, founder and CEO of Solus Power. “Our mission is to revolutionize energy access across defense, ensuring reliable and sustainable power in diverse and challenging environments. Kratos’ ability to provide portable, flexible, and scalable off-grid power whenever and wherever it’s needed is an ideal solution to support global defense, security, and the evolving electrified military landscape.”

Over the past nine years, DASA has established itself as a key enabler of defense and security innovation, building strong expertise and partnerships across government, academia, and industry.

By seeking novel technologies that enable greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance for deployed forces, DASA supports a more resilient, agile, and self-sustaining military capability.

“Science and technology innovation enables our Armed Forces to be more resilient and effective,” says Darren Browning, Dstl technical partner. “Dstl’s critical technical advice helped shape the power requirements for the solution and its ability to power varied electronic systems. We’ll be using our extensive technical experience to thoroughly assess this next stage and ensure the product meets user needs.”

With modern operations increasingly reliant on advanced electronics, surveillance systems, and electric mobility, the demand for reliable, portable power is growing. Traditional power sources like diesel generators are noisy, heavy, fuel-dependent, and logistically complex.

Energy resilience is fast becoming a critical national security priority. Scalable, ruggedized, and self-sufficient power solutions are essential for off-grid and battlefield environments. The transition to electrified power generation, storage, and distribution is set to transform how armed forces operate - boosting efficiency and improving mission success rates.

Kratos supports a wide range of military and emergency use cases, from powering base infrastructure such as surveillance systems to supporting soldier-level technology like wearable devices, communications equipment, and smart weaponry. Its scalable, portable design makes it ideal for land operations, drone support, and rapid deployment in disaster response or field maintenance scenarios.