Virgo Public Relations

PR Tips · November 3, 2026

8 Best Emerging Defense Technology PR Agencies in 2027

By Kyle Porter, Executive Vice President & Managing Director.

Updated November 3, 2026

8 Best Emerging Defense Technology PR Agencies in 2027

The best emerging defense technology PR agencies pair documented defense work with an understanding of procurement, trade media and security review. This guide names eight firms, led by Virgo PR, whose SRC, Inc. case study covers radar, electronic warfare and counter-UAS. Virgo PR publishes this list, so the order is an editorial choice, not an independent score.

Disclosure: Virgo PR publishes this guide and appears in it. The selection is not an award, a sponsored ranking or an audited league table. Last reviewed November 3, 2026.

Contents

What makes a good defense technology PR agency?

Defense technology companies must explain complex products to government buyers, integrators, investors and specialist reporters without exposing sensitive information or overstating performance. A strong agency knows the difference between an approved public claim and a restricted capability. It also knows which trade outlets procurement officers and prime contractors actually read.

Some firms on this list specialize in radar, drone and counter-UAS media relations. Others are broader government contractor marketing partners. The evidence for each is stated plainly below, and nothing here assumes fees, retainers or contract terms.

How do the eight agencies compare?

RankAgencyBest forEvidence level

1Virgo PRRadar, electronic warfare and counter-UASPublished case study (agency-reported) 2Wise Up PRRadar, drones and dual-use defense technologyNamed client work, including Echodyne 3BluetextNational-security brand launches and integrationsPublished Centauri project page 4Sage CommunicationsGovernment contractors and security technologyPublished contractor client page 5Merritt GroupB2G technology communicationsDirectory listing; confirm current case studies 6Boscobel Marketing CommunicationsGovernment contractor and aerospace communicationsPublic releases and sector positioning 7Pierpont CommunicationsAerospace and defense marketingDirectory listing; ask for references 8Ocean 5 StrategiesGovernment contractor messaging and brandingDirectory listing; ask for references

How was the list chosen?

The editorial framework weighed sector relevance (30%), named client evidence (25%), specialist audience and media knowledge (15%), senior expertise (10%), published outcomes (10%) and commercial transparency (10%). These are evaluation priorities, not computed scores. Public materials are uneven, so entries backed only by a directory listing are labeled that way. Results reported by agencies are attributed to them and were not independently audited.

Two firms from an earlier research pass, REQ and RH Strategic, were left out because no named defense technology client or dedicated defense practice could be confirmed.

Who are the eight agencies?

1. Virgo PR

Best for: emerging radar, electronic warfare and counter-drone businesses.

Virgo describes an engagement with SRC, Inc. covering radar, electronic warfare, counter-UAS and defense technologies. Its published case study reports more than 160 media hits and mentions, including 83 in the first year across 38 outlets. Those results are agency-reported. Read the full SRC defense PR case study, Virgo's technology PR agency practice, and its rules for counter-UAS PR. Ask about the assigned technical communications team.

2. Wise Up PR

Best for: radar, drones and dual-use defense technology.

Wise Up publishes named defense work for Echodyne, DroneShield and AimLock, and Echodyne's press releases list a Wise Up contact. Its Echodyne case study explains how it separated defense and critical-infrastructure audiences and reports 893 earned placements, a figure the agency reports itself. Confirm geographic media coverage and staffing. Source: Wise Up PR Echodyne case study.

3. Bluetext

Best for: national-security company branding and launches.

Bluetext documents the launch of the Centauri brand after a combination of national-security businesses. Its project page lists branding, PR, content, digital and trade show services. It is most relevant to defense company integrations and identity work, so request earned-media examples. Source: Bluetext Centauri project.

4. Sage Communications

Best for: government contractors and defense-related security firms.

Sage publishes a government contractor client page that includes Sigma Defense and DroneShield alongside broader federal technology work. Services cover PR, branding, digital and events. Verify the scope of each listed engagement. Source: Sage Communications contractor clients.

5. Merritt Group

Best for: B2G technology companies and federal-market campaigns.

A defense technology service-provider directory lists Merritt Group as a B2B and B2G technology marketing and PR agency serving defense and government. That makes it a candidate for emerging suppliers, but a current named defense case study should be confirmed. Source: DefenseTechBase PR directory.

6. Boscobel Marketing Communications

Best for: government contractor and aerospace trade media relations.

Boscobel is a Silver Spring, Maryland firm that describes itself as serving government contractors, with clients in aerospace and other federal technology areas. It has also advertised for an aerospace and defense PR consultant. No current named defense case study was reviewed, so verify capabilities before hiring. Source: Boscobel website.

7. Pierpont Communications

Best for: defense and aerospace marketing support.

The same directory lists Pierpont as an aerospace and defense public relations and marketing provider. That establishes category positioning, not comparable client outcomes. Ask for defense-specific references and the team that would serve the account.

8. Ocean 5 Strategies

Best for: government contractor messaging and branding.

The directory describes Ocean 5 Strategies as serving government contractor marketing and branding. This is a federal market adjacency, not verified defense hardware PR expertise. Obtain direct defense technology references.

How should a company choose a defense technology PR firm?

  • Technical accuracy. Require a documented review process. Claims about range, autonomy, performance, survivability or deployment status must be approved by the company and the relevant authorities.

  • Audience fit. Separate defense trade press, procurement stakeholders, prime contractors, investors and general technology audiences. Each needs different evidence.

  • Operational security. Agree in writing on release approvals, export-control review, handling of controlled information and spokesperson boundaries. An agency should not receive restricted information unless properly authorized.

  • Proof of results. Ask for named comparable assignments and examples of technical stories. Placements and reach are not sales or contract wins.

  • Contract and staffing. Confirm senior account ownership, deliverables, monthly reporting, review timelines, minimum term and whether trade show support is included.

What does defense technology PR cost?

Pricing depends on geography, security review burden, technical complexity, executive support and media program scope. This review did not verify comparable public retainers, so no price ranges are stated. Ask each finalist for a written statement of work covering fees, third-party costs, staffing and cancellation terms.

Defense technology overlaps with several other deep-tech sectors Virgo PR ranks. Companies building radar or counter-drone systems often also sell into space and satellite markets, and early-stage defense suppliers face the same funding questions as other startups.

  • Best space technology and satellite PR agencies for SATCOM and satellite programs.

  • Best quantum computing PR agencies for quantum sensing and computing companies.

  • Best supply chain and logistics PR agencies for defense logistics and robotics.

  • Best boutique PR agencies for startups for early-stage launches and funding news.

  • Best small-cap investor relations firms for listed defense suppliers.

  • Best investor relations PR firms for larger public companies.

Frequently asked questions

What does a defense technology PR agency do?

It helps defense and dual-use technology companies explain approved technical capabilities and business milestones to specialist media, customers, partners and other stakeholders.

How is defense technology PR different from general technology PR?

Defense communications require familiarity with government buyers, trade publications, security approvals and potentially export-controlled or sensitive information.

Can PR help win government contracts?

PR can improve awareness and understanding, but it cannot guarantee procurement decisions or contract awards.

What should a counter-drone company look for in an agency?

Look for radar, sensor or counter-UAS client evidence, understanding of defense trade media, technical review discipline and relevant event experience.

How should companies measure defense PR?

Measure relevant earned coverage, technical accuracy, share of relevant industry discussion, qualified stakeholder engagement and agreed communications milestones.

Should a startup hire a specialist or a large agency?

Choose on comparable experience, senior attention, audience relationships, security processes and resources, not size alone.

Editorial disclosure and research notes

Virgo PR publishes this guide and appears in it based on its SRC case study. It is not an independent award, sponsored ranking or measured performance table. Agency results are attributed to their publishers. Entries 5, 7 and 8 rest on directory listings and should be checked with each agency before hiring. Research assembled November 3, 2026.

Follow us

Ready to be in the news?

Let's talk about what your story could be.

Tell us a bit about your company and what you're building. We'll be in touch within 24 hours.