Want to track AI Defence? Start with These 3 Free Public Sources
Most investors are staring in the wrong direction. They are watching Big Tech earnings. They are chasing the latest chatbot. They are distracted by the media hype.
The real money in artificial intelligence is not in apps. It is in defence. The contracts that are quietly funding drones, battlefield logistics, cyber security, and autonomous weapons - and here is the truth: by the time mainstream media reports these deals, the money has already been made. The stocks have already moved.
The contracts are not secret. They are public. But they are buried in databases and procurement documents that 99% of investors will never read. If you know where to look, you can spot these signals months before the headlines.
Here are three free sources you can use to track AI defence spending:
1. NATO Procurement Reports
NATO publishes detailed procurement reports through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Inside these documents are clues about what technologies are being prioritised and who is likely to benefit.
In 2024, one report mentioned increased funding for AI-enabled drone swarms. That single line item hinted at contracts worth hundreds of millions. A few months later, European suppliers tied to this program saw new deals announced.
Where to find it: Search the NATO NSPA website for procurement reports. Most are long, dry, and packed with jargon. But inside the fine print is where the opportunities are.
2. European Defence Agency Tenders
The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the EU’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) platform publish open notices for defence projects. These tenders often include AI projects in logistics, surveillance, and cyber defence. They even show which companies are bidding.
In 2023, a tender called for AI-driven battlefield logistics. The winner later announced a multi-million euro contract. Anyone who read the tender knew where the money was going months before the press release.
Where to find it: Search the EDA website and TED database. Use keywords like “artificial intelligence,” “autonomous,” and “logistics.”
3. U.S. Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)
The United States spends more on defence than the next ten countries combined. And all federal contracts must be logged in the FPDS. This database is free but almost nobody uses it. It is messy, technical, and requires time to search. But hidden inside are AI defence contracts that can move entire sectors.
In 2022, FPDS showed awards for AI cyber security systems. By the time CNBC and Bloomberg covered the story, the relevant stocks had already spiked.
Where to find it: FPDS.gov. Search for “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” or “autonomy.” Learn how to filter results by agency and contract size.
Why This Matters
Mainstream investors are always late. They wait for CNN, Bloomberg, or the BBC to tell them about a defence deal. But by then, the contracts are signed and the stocks have already moved.
The smart money is watching procurement databases. They are reading the reports nobody else reads. They are connecting dots months before the crowd. This is how you stay ahead.
Next Step
I have put together a step-by-step guide on Patreon showing exactly how I track these sources:
The search terms I use.
How I filter the noise.
How I connect the dots to specific companies.
It is the exact process I use to find opportunities before they make the news.
🔒 Read the Full Guide on my Patreon.
Because in this new AI arms race, timing is everything.
