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NATO partners with Google Cloud to build secure, sovereign AI-driven cloud infrastructure

Friday, 28 November 2025 10:35AM UTC

NATO is set to enhance its digital resilience through a multimillion-dollar partnership with Google Cloud, focusing on developing a secure, air-gapped cloud environment for classified AI workloads, marking a significant step in military cloud modernisation.

NATO is poised to advance its digital modernization efforts through a significant partnership with Google Cloud, aimed at developing a highly secure and sovereign cloud environment tailored for classified, AI-driven workloads. Announced in late November, this multimillion-dollar agreement entrusts Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) to bolster NATO’s data governance, security posture, and operational capabilities with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence while maintaining stringent control over sensitive data.

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) has selected Google’s air-gapped sovereign cloud, a specialized version of Google Distributed Cloud designed to operate in a completely isolated environment disconnected from external networks. This setup allows NATO to run modern AI workloads inside a fully autonomous and secure framework that complies with strict data residency and sovereignty rules. The platform will be used by the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC), including facilities focused on sensitive operational intelligence such as the NATO-Ukraine center dealing with data from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Google Cloud's regional president for EMEA underlined the importance of enabling NATO's adoption of cutting-edge technology without compromising security, while NCIA’s CTO emphasised the critical role of partnerships with industry in strengthening NATO’s operational resilience on a wide scale. The new cloud infrastructure is expected to enhance analytics capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and enforce high-level protection for classified information across NATO and its allies, ensuring data sovereignty and operational control even in disconnected or air-gapped environments.

This move is part of a broader digital transformation within NATO. Alongside the Google Cloud partnership, NATO has been modernizing its IT infrastructure through other initiatives, such as the contract awarded to Leidos to develop a modern private cloud for the NATO Operational Network. This project aims to replace legacy systems with scalable, secure cloud technology to increase cyber resilience and efficiency across the Alliance’s command structure.

Google Cloud’s sovereign cloud solution is built to meet rigorous security and regulatory standards including ISO, NIST, and NATO-specific certifications. The platform provides flexible deployment and robust compliance settings necessary for organizations with elevated security needs. Features such as integrated AI capabilities and regional operational oversight reinforce the secure handling of classified workloads while enabling the use of powerful cloud services.

Significantly, the NATO- Google Cloud deal showcases a rising demand in enterprise technology for secure, sovereign cloud environments that can handle sensitive data and modern AI applications simultaneously. This trend influences how vendors develop cloud architectures that uphold strict sovereignty without sacrificing the performance or scalability required by military and government entities. The partnership also signals heightened expectations for cloud providers and their ecosystems to offer solutions tailored to classified and high-sensitivity environments, necessitating robust governance and secure deployment frameworks.

With integration planned over the coming months, NATO aims to establish a resilient digital infrastructure that reduces reliance on external networks, reinforces mission-critical data sovereignty, and supports AI-driven operational capabilities. This initiative exemplifies how defence organizations worldwide are leveraging sovereign cloud technologies to navigate the complex balance between digital transformation and uncompromising security requirements.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (ERP Today) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
^[2] (TechRadar) - Paragraphs 2, 3, 4
^[3] (NCIA) - Paragraph 5
^[4] (PR Newswire - Google Cloud) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4
^[5] (Google Cloud Sovereign Cloud) - Paragraphs 3, 6, 7
^[6] (PR Newswire - Leidos) - Paragraph 5
^[7] (DataCenter Dynamics) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://erp.today/nato-taps-google-cloud-for-ai-ready-sovereign-infrastructure/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.techradar.com/pro/nato-signs-major-google-deal-to-ensure-secure-sovereign-cloud - NATO's Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Google Cloud to access sovereign cloud capabilities as part of its digital modernization strategy. The partnership will utilize Google Distributed Cloud (GDC), an air-gapped, secure environment designed for highly regulated sectors. This platform will provide NATO with full control over data residency and compliance with digital sovereignty requirements, enhancing security and data management. GDC will also support NATO’s Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC), a NATO-Ukraine facility dealing with sensitive data from the Russia-Ukraine war. The secure, scalable infrastructure will help NATO to efficiently run AI and analytics while retaining physical and operational control over its data. Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed.
https://www.ncia.nato.int/newsroom/news/ncia-partners-with-industry-to-bolster-natos-it-resilience.aspx - On 10 June 2025, a contract signing ceremony between the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and Leidos took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, marking a milestone in the Alliance’s ongoing efforts to enhance IT infrastructure and cyber resilience. Through this partnership, NCIA will deliver the first modern private cloud capability for the NATO Operational Network. The network to be developed, implemented and commissioned represents a leap in technology replacing legacy infrastructure with modern, scalable, and secure systems, and ultimately improving service delivery to the NATO Command Structure. The contract was awarded to Leidos following a competitive bidding process under a novel sourcing approach that allowed NCIA to complete source selection in about half the time typically required for a project of this scale and complexity. As a result, NATO will reap the benefits of improved security, modernized technology and systems, and heightened resilience at a faster rate.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nato-and-google-cloud-sign-multi-million-dollar-deal-for-ai-enabled-sovereign-cloud-302623269.html - Google Cloud today announced a significant, multi-million-dollar contract with the NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) to deliver highly secure, sovereign cloud capabilities. This strategic partnership is a major step in bolstering NATO's digital infrastructure, strengthening its data governance, and enabling it to securely leverage cutting-edge cloud and AI capabilities. NCIA selected Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) to support the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC). JATEC will leverage this infrastructure to modernize its operational capabilities and handle classified workloads. GDC air-gapped, a key component of Google's Sovereign Cloud solutions, brings Google's powerful cloud services and cutting-edge AI capabilities into completely disconnected, highly secure environments. This empowers organizations to run modern AI and analytics workloads on their most important data, unlocking valuable insights while maintaining absolute operational control and meeting the strictest digital sovereignty requirements. Leveraging this technology ensures that NATO maintains uncompromised data residency and operational controls, providing the highest degree of security and autonomy, regardless of scale or complexity. This contract underscores Google Cloud's dedication to supporting partners who protect and empower the most valuable data across NATO's allies.
https://cloud.google.com/sovereign-cloud - Google Cloud's Sovereign Cloud offering provides organizations with complete control over data residency and compliance with digital sovereignty requirements. The platform allows for robust residency, access, and oversight settings to meet regional sovereign, security, and compliance needs. It also enables engagement with independent regional operating partners for transparent operations, oversight, key management, and regional support. Additionally, the Sovereign Cloud supports air-gapped operations for survivability, allowing organizations to operate fully disconnected while still integrating Google's AI capabilities for classified data and workloads. The solution is designed to meet stringent security and regulatory needs, supporting compliance with standards like ISO 27001/27017, SOC II, ISMAP, NIST, and NATO D48. It delivers integrated cloud services and is built on open-source foundations such as Kubernetes, offering flexibility and scalability for various deployment needs.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leidos-global-partners-to-boost-nato-capabilities-through-cloud-modernization-302487368.html - A Leidos-led modernization initiative, involving companies from France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K., aims to enhance NATO's IT infrastructure. The project is designed to improve resilience against cyber threats and increase efficiency and scalability, in support of NATO digital transformation. Leidos was awarded a contract from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) for the provision of a centralized IT solution (based on private cloud technology) to support NATO's operational network, integrating core services such as service management and cybersecurity with the goal of enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency across the NATO command structure. This project reflects Leidos' long-standing commitment to NATO, leveraging innovative solutions aimed at delivering secure, mission-ready capabilities designed to adapt with operational needs. It also creates new opportunities for more integrated collaboration across trans-Atlantic defense networks, helping NATO teams stay securely connected and able to share critical information with greater speed, agility, and assurance.
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/google-cloud-secures-sovereign-cloud-contract-with-nato/ - The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) has signed an agreement with Google Cloud that will see the latter delivering sovereign cloud capabilities. The NCIA will use Google Distributed Cloud (GDC ... Google's on-premises offering that sees Google hardware deployed in a customer's data center of choice. The agency will specifically adopt the 'air-gapped' version of GDC, which is disconnected from the wider Internet and was launched in July 2024. The deal is hoping to strengthen NATO's digital infrastructure and data governance, while adopting cloud and AI capabilities, according to the NTCIA. 'Google Cloud is dedicated to supporting NATO's critical mission to develop a robust and resilient infrastructure and harness the latest technology innovations,' said Tara Brady, president of Google Cloud EMEA. 'This partnership will enable NATO to decisively accelerate its digital modernization efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and digital sovereignty.' 'NCIA is committed to leveraging next-generation technology, including AI, to enhance NATO's operational capabilities and safeguard the Alliance's digital environment,' added Antonio Calderon, CTO of NCIA. 'Partnership with industry is a critical component of our digital transformation strategy. Through this collaboration, we will deliver a secure, resilient, and scalable cloud environment for JATEC that meets the highest standards required to protect highly sensitive data.' The agreement with Google follows just months after NATO's NCIA announced it would be migrating its mission-critical workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure's sovereign cloud offering. The NCIA operates five campuses and 30 direct support locations throughout Europe and North America. The primary locations are in Brussels, Braine-l'Alleud, Mons, Oeiras, and The Hague, while the direct support locations include CIS Support Units (CSUs), logistics centers, and satellite ground stations, which enable NATO networks, service operations, exercises, and IT infrastructure.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being November 24, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not appeared elsewhere more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from Google Cloud's regional president for EMEA and NCIA’s CTO are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, PR Newswire, which is a trusted source for press releases. The report is also covered by other reputable outlets such as TechRadar and DataCenter Dynamics, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known industry trends. The partnership between NATO and Google Cloud for sovereign cloud services is consistent with NATO's ongoing digital modernization efforts. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, with no inconsistencies or suspicious elements.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and supported by other reputable outlets. No discrepancies or suspicious elements were found, indicating a high level of credibility.

NATO
Google Cloud
Sovereign cloud