The United Kingdom has signed a £400 million (S$695.6 million) contract with Google Cloud, a move the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said will bolster secure communication and deepen technological alignment with the United States. The announcement comes just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled state visit to Britain.
According to the MOD, the agreement will enable UK defence intelligence and national security specialists to “deploy the same technology, at the same classification,” as their US counterparts, thereby strengthening joint missions and reinforcing the longstanding intelligence and security partnership between the two nations.
The deal includes the adoption of Google Cloud’s latest innovations in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Officials emphasized that strict data sovereignty and security measures are embedded within the programme to ensure that all critical information remains under direct UK control. The MOD also clarified that data stored on the platform will not be transmitted to the United States via Google Cloud.
Defence Secretary John Healey described the initiative as a step forward in the UK’s digital modernization strategy:
“The technology has strict data sovereignty and security controls, ensuring that critical data remains under direct UK control.”
In parallel, Google Cloud has committed to substantial inward investment, including the establishment of a dedicated UK-based team to oversee the programme. Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud EMEA, said the agreement reflects both sides’ ambitions to build resilient, future-proof infrastructure:
“This partnership will enable the MOD to accelerate its digital modernisation efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and data sovereignty.”
The signing of the contract is seen as strategically timed, as President Trump is expected in Britain next week, accompanied by several senior US technology executives. The deal underscores both the UK government’s commitment to strengthening transatlantic defence cooperation and its growing reliance on private-sector innovation to enhance national security capabilities.
