Google lands £400M UK Ministry of Defence Contract for Secure Cloud

Google Cloud has secured a landmark £400 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a secure, sovereign cloud platform. The deal, announced on Friday, is a key component of the MoD's digital modernization strategy and aims to strengthen defense capabilities and intelligence-sharing between the UK and the United States.

The contract will see Google Cloud deliver a "sovereign cloud" environment, which will be built on its Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) Air Gapped platform. This technology is designed for highly sensitive workloads, ensuring that critical data remains within UK territory and under the direct control of the MoD.

The MoD stated that the new platform will enable defense intelligence and national security specialists to use advanced Google technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and cybersecurity tools.

This will facilitate secure communication and data sharing, allowing the UK to "deploy the same technology, at the same classification" as its U.S. counterparts, thereby strengthening allied missions and partnerships.

"Secure, seamless communication with our allies is crucial for national security," said Defence Secretary John Healey MP. "Google Cloud's investment will build up our world-leading secret tech for the future. The deal also delivers on the Strategic Defence Review, helping us develop the latest digital technology to counter our adversaries."

The agreement also comes with significant economic benefits for the UK.

Google Cloud has pledged millions of pounds in inward investment and has committed to recruiting a dedicated specialist team in the UK to manage the program. The partnership is expected to create jobs, develop skills, and support the growth of the British tech startup ecosystem.

This deal signals a new phase in the UK's defense strategy, which, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, aims to leverage cutting-edge commercial technology to maintain a military advantage.

While the MoD has existing cloud partnerships with other providers like Microsoft and Amazon, the Google contract represents a major expansion of its multi-cloud approach and a firm commitment to integrating advanced AI and data capabilities into its core operations.