Why a UK Battery Startup Just Got a Major Boost from a Maritime Tech Firm

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-14

When you think about the defense industry, batteries probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. But they should be. A recent investment in the UK is shaking up how we think about powering everything from submarines to electric vehicles, and it's a story worth paying attention to. LORILLION, an engineering and R&D company based in Coventry, has just secured a multi-million-dollar investment from SubSea Craft, a maritime technology company out of Portsmouth. The deal gives SubSea Craft a 40% stake in LORILLION, and it's a move that could have big implications for the UK's defense and automotive sectors. ### What's the Deal All About? This isn't just about money changing hands. The investment is designed to strengthen the UK's ability to design, build, and manufacture specialist battery systems right at home. Think of it as keeping the brains and the brawn of critical technology within the country's borders, rather than relying on overseas suppliers. The plan is to create an end-to-end sovereign capability. That means from the initial spark of an idea to the final certified production, the UK will have the skills and facilities to make it happen. For a country that wants to be a leader in defense and clean energy, that's a huge deal. Richie Frost, CEO of LORILLION, is clearly excited about the partnership. He says it will speed up the development of key battery technologies and create a dedicated manufacturing capability. He's also keen on expanding the engineering team and giving customers a complete route from concept to production. ### Why Batteries Matter More Than You Think Here's the thing: batteries aren't just for your phone or laptop anymore. In the defense world, they're mission-critical. SubSea Craft's advanced maritime platform, called VICTA, is a perfect example. It's a dual-domain vessel that can zip across the surface at high speed and then dive underwater for covert operations. For that to work, you need a battery that can handle serious pressure. LORILLION is developing a bespoke pressure-tolerant battery system for VICTA, designed to operate at depths exceeding 160 feet. That's not your average power pack. Camilla Martin, CEO of SubSea Craft, puts it perfectly: "Modern defence capability is only as resilient as the industrial base behind it." She's not just buying batteries; she's investing in the engineering knowledge and manufacturing capability needed to sustain strategically important British technology. ### What's Next for LORILLION? Founded in 2023, LORILLION is a young company, but it's already making waves. It provides battery development services across defense, marine, aerospace, and automotive sectors, specializing in rapid development for highly regulated applications. With this fresh capital, the company plans to expand its engineering team to over 70 people and open a new production facility in the Midlands next year. SubSea Craft, founded in 2014, is all about giving maritime forces an operational advantage through rapid research and development. They use open-architecture, software-centric design to build modular and adaptable platforms. Everything is done in-house, from concept to testing and manufacturing, which allows for fast fielding and dependable support. ### The Bigger Picture This investment is a clear signal that the UK is serious about maintaining its edge in defense technology. It's about securing the supply chain and ensuring that critical systems are built and sustained on home soil. For anyone watching the defense or clean-energy sectors, this is a partnership to keep an eye on. It's a reminder that sometimes the biggest moves happen behind the scenes, in the labs and workshops where the real engineering magic takes place. As the world becomes more electrified, the countries and companies that master battery technology will have a significant advantage. This deal is a step in that direction for the UK, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming years.