Google wins £400m UK MoD contract to build secure sovereign cloud
System built to meet the highest data residency and security standards
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a £400 million deal with Google Cloud to deliver a sovereign cloud platform designed to protect sensitive defence and intelligence data, while bolstering cybersecurity and secure communication with allies.
The agreement will see Google deploy sovereign datacentres in the UK based on its Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) air-gapped platform.
The system, built to meet the highest data residency and security standards, promises to keep all MoD information under direct UK control, according to the government.
It will also integrate Google's AI, machine learning, and data analytics tools, enabling defence and national security specialists to draw faster insights and enhance operational readiness.
Strengthening UK-US defence ties
The MoD said the deal is designed not only to modernise Britain's defence networks but also to strengthen secure communication channels with the US.
The initiative aligns with the Strategic Defence Review, published in June under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which called for innovation to be delivered at "a wartime pace."
Defence Secretary John Healey welcomed the move as a milestone for Britain's digital defence capabilities.
"Secure, seamless communication with our allies is crucial for national security, and Google Cloud's investment will build up our world-leading secret tech for the future," Healey said.
General Sir James Hockenhull, Commander of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, noted: "The Ministry of Defence is committed to utilising next-generation technology and AI to enhance our operational capabilities and ensure the security of the United Kingdom. This partnership is a critical component of our digital transformation strategy, and we are pleased to partner with Google Cloud to deliver a secure and resilient cloud environment for our highly sensitive data."
According to Google, the sovereign cloud will deliver a hardened, air-gapped environment specifically designed for workloads requiring maximum control and security.
Alongside the infrastructure, Google Cloud has committed millions of pounds in inward investment, including the recruitment of a dedicated specialist team to manage the technology in the UK.
"Google Cloud is dedicated to supporting the UK government's mission to develop a robust and resilient infrastructure and harness the latest technology innovations," said Tara Brady, President for EMEA at Google Cloud.
"This partnership will enable the MoD to accelerate its digital modernisation efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and data sovereignty."
The announcement comes against a backdrop of growing competition among hyperscale providers to win UK national security contracts.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure already provide significant cloud services to defence customers, while Oracle Cloud is also in use.
In February 2023, the Conservative government's Cloud Strategic Roadmap for Defence envisioned consolidating existing platforms through a unified service known as the Cirrus Portfolio. That roadmap noted that while AWS and Azure were "favoured by most" defence services, Google Cloud's technology could play a stronger role in certain specialist areas.
In June, MoD paused its £92 million contract to implement Oracle's Fusion cloud-based ERP system, citing an ongoing internal governance review within its Corporate Services Modernisation (CSM) Portfolio.