May 5 (Reuters) - AI-powered defense startup Anduril

Industries on Monday said it has entered into a definitive

agreement to acquire Ireland-based tactical communications

systems maker Klas.

Anduril, along with software maker Palantir ( PLTR ) and

Elon Musk's SpaceX, has emerged as frontrunners to win a crucial

part of President Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense

shield, Reuters reported last month citing people familiar with

the matter.

The deal, the terms of which were not disclosed and is

subject to regulatory approvals, aims to strengthen the defense

technology firm's autonomous warfare systems with Klas's

hardware.

Klas manufactures compact computers and internet

equipment that enable soldiers to communicate and control

drones, even in environments lacking electricity and cellphone

signals.

Anduril, which is backed by venture capital heavyweights,

will integrate Klas' hardware into its AI-powered software

platform Lattice, the "central brain" of its AI-powered

autonomous systems.

Lattice synthesizes data from sensors of various unmanned

systems to provide a real-time battlefield overview,

facilitating collaboration between machines and humans.

Klas, which has 150 employees, is expected to continue

operating from its facilities in Ireland and the U.S., as part

of the deal, with plans to expand manufacturing capacity to meet

increased demand.

This marks the ninth deal by Anduril since it was

established in 2017.

Reuters previously reported that the company was in talks

for a new funding round that could increase its valuation to $28

billion, according to sources.