Austin-based defense startup Saronic has secured a whopping $600 million in Series C funding, quadrupling its valuation to $4 billion, the company announced yesterday. This significant investment will be used to build an autonomous ship factory called "Port Alpha," marking a major milestone in the company's mission to revolutionize naval warfare.

The funding round was led by investor Elad Gil, with General Catalyst joining existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and Caffeinated Capital, among others. This injection of capital solidifies Saronic's position as one of the most valuable defense tech startups in the US, with only Anduril's $14 billion valuation surpassing it. Shield AI is reportedly in talks to hit a $5 billion valuation on a new round of funding, which could potentially change the ranking.

Saronic's ambitious plans for Port Alpha are not unique in the defense tech space. Anduril, for instance, announced plans to build a billion-dollar megafactory in Ohio last month. The trend of defense tech startups investing heavily in manufacturing capabilities is a significant shift in the industry, with major implications for the future of naval warfare.

While Saronic has not yet secured a site for Port Alpha, the company is actively searching for a location. Operations at the port, dubbed the "shipyard of the future," are slated to begin within five years, according to Saronic's co-founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas. The factory will focus on building large unmanned ships, bolstering US shipbuilding capacity compared to China.

Saronic has already made significant strides in developing autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), with three models up to 24 feet long. The company's technology has been gaining traction, particularly in light of Ukraine's successful use of drone ships to drive the Russian Navy out of Crimea, despite Ukraine having effectively no manned navy of its own. Unmanned ships are increasingly seen as a game-changer in naval warfare, and Saronic is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

Saronic's raise is the latest sign that defense tech continues to hit new highs in Silicon Valley, buoyed by similar monster rounds. The company has now raised almost $850 million, with Mavrookas attributing the quadrupled valuation to Saronic's speed at developing new vessels and software. As the defense tech space continues to evolve, Saronic is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of naval warfare.

The implications of Saronic's autonomous ship factory extend far beyond the company itself. With the US shipbuilding industry lagging behind China, the factory's focus on building large unmanned ships could be a significant boost to the country's naval capabilities. Moreover, the trend of defense tech startups investing in manufacturing capabilities could lead to a new era of innovation and competition in the industry.

As Saronic moves forward with its plans for Port Alpha, the company will be closely watched by industry observers and investors alike. With its valuation now at $4 billion, Saronic is firmly established as a leader in the defense tech space, and its future endeavors will be closely scrutinized for signs of continued innovation and growth.