South Florida's Defense Tech Boom Draws Industry Leaders

Palantir, Vanderbilt, and new jobs highlight region's growing prominence as a defense hub

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Top U.S. defense industry leaders gathered in West Palm Beach on February 17 to share the latest in tech advances, in a gathering that coincided with the region's rising profile as a defense hub. The Defense Tech Leadership Summit, held at the Norton Museum of Art, featured executives from large and emerging defense technology companies.

Why it matters

South Florida's growing prominence as a defense technology hub is attracting major industry players and creating new high-skilled jobs in the region. The summit highlights the area's potential to become a leading center for defense innovation and research.

The details

The Defense Tech Leadership Summit featured presentations and panel discussions on the latest advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. Executives from companies like Palantir and Vanderbilt discussed their plans to expand operations and invest in the region.

  • The summit was held on February 17, 2026.

The players

Palantir

A leading defense technology company that provides data analysis and software solutions for government and commercial clients.

Vanderbilt

A prominent research university that has been expanding its defense technology research and development efforts in South Florida.

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What’s next

The region is expected to see continued growth in defense technology jobs and investment as companies seek to capitalize on the area's skilled workforce and favorable business climate.

The takeaway

South Florida's emergence as a defense technology hub is attracting major industry players and creating new high-skilled jobs in the region, solidifying its position as a center for innovation and research in this critical sector.