Joby vs Archer vs Beta: Who Wins the Defense Procurement Race? Defense Strategies and Competitive Advantages of the Three Companies

In the latter half of 2025, the global aerospace industry is witnessing a strategic convergence of unprecedented scale between electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startups focused on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and the rapidly shifting procurement priorities of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Initially garnering attention as "flying cars" aimed at alleviating urban congestion and decarbonization, the eVTOL industry now views entry into the defense sector as an essential element for overcoming the "valley of death" on the path to technical maturity and commercialization.

Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies This report provides a detailed analysis of how major U.S.-based eVTOL manufacturers are leveraging policy tailwinds such as the DoD's "Replicator" initiative, the "Agility Prime" program, and the White House-led Interagency Pilot Program (eIPP) to establish structural advantages over their competitors.

The analysis reveals that the Department of Defense is eager for runway-independent air transport capabilities to address the challenges of "Contested Logistics" in the Indo-Pacific region. eVTOLs, which are quieter and have lower operating costs than conventional helicopters, are seen as ideal platforms for logistics transport and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) in distributed operations. In particular, the 2025 defense budget and policy guidelines clearly indicate an intent to accelerate the military adaptation of civilian technologies (dual-use). These startups are achieving early monetization and technical validation by deploying military prototypes and developing hybrid propulsion systems in parallel with the FAA type certification process. This article comprehensively discusses the details of each company's defense strategy, trends in technical convergence, and the medium- to long-term financial implications for investors.