Solus Power has landed a new contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to accelerate the development of Kratos, its ruggedized dual-use portable battery system designed to power next-generation field operations.
The funding will move Kratos toward field testing in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which is ensuring the system meets the Royal Navy’s Future Commando Force requirements.
Kratos is described as a “Jerry can of electricity,” a compact lithium-ion battery pack that provides fast direct DC-to-DC charging for equipment such as surveillance systems and communications devices.
Designed for hand-carry, vehicle mounting, or drone deployment, it operates quietly and emits minimal heat, improving stealth for field operations.
This latest award follows Solus Power’s earlier UK contract in September that supported initial trials of Kratos for forward-deployed and amphibious units.
UK Expands Energy Resilience Programs
Britain’s armed forces have been steadily ramping up investment in energy resilience and battlefield electrification.
Defence Equipment and Support and the Dstl have launched multiple projects to ensure troops can generate, store, and manage power in remote or contested environments.
The UK published a 2024 strategy paper that sets out how climate resilience, energy independence, and operational sustainability should be woven into defense planning.
In 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence completed one of its largest trials of hydrogen-powered systems, logging over 120,000 miles (193 kilometers) with GeoPura’s fuel-cell generators to replace diesel units at remote military sites.
By 2025, the Royal Navy began testing power-efficient upgrades across its fleet, including the installation of modernized Link 16 Crypto data systems aboard the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond to improve connectivity and energy management.
