Palantir Technologies has appointed former Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) to head its defence division, marking his first role in the defence sector. Gallagher, known for his strong stance against China, will focus on identifying contract opportunities and driving research and development at Palantir. He takes over from Doug Philippone, who built the unit and will remain with the company as an adviser.
Gallagher’s hiring aligns with Palantir’s firm stance on national security, reinforcing its "pick-a-side" approach. Initially backed by the CIA’s venture capital arm, Palantir specializes in software and competes with the Defense Department's larger hardware companies. Gallagher's addition is a strategic move to bolster the company's growth in U.S. government contracts, which recently saw their highest levels since Q2 2022. Palantir's stock has surged over 250% since 2020, reflecting its strong performance.
In a statement, Gallagher praised Palantir as a leading technology company committed to defending the West and preventing global conflict. He emphasized the need for private sector innovation to support national defence, stating, "We need to marry both tech and hardware, bits and bending metal."
Gallagher’s views align with Palantir CEO Alex Karp, who warned of a potential conflict involving the U.S., China, Russia, and Iran. Karp has advocated for a strong defence posture to deter adversaries, a sentiment echoed by Gallagher’s history in the Marine Corps and his legislative work on national security issues, including his leadership on the House Select China Committee and support for U.S. aid to allies like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.