MOD strikes £400m Google Cloud deal to strengthen defence and data security

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed a £400 million partnership with Google Cloud to modernise classified information sharing between the UK and US, in a move billed as both a boost to national security and a catalyst for economic growth.

The deal, announced ahead of the US President’s second state visit to the UK, forms a central part of the government’s “Plan for Change” and delivers a key recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review: building a digitally integrated force capable of responding to new and evolving threats.

Under the agreement, Google Cloud will provide the MOD and defence intelligence specialists with advanced cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and cyber security capabilities to strengthen secure communications between the UK and its closest ally. According to ministers, the partnership will allow defence teams to share sensitive information at pace and “outcompete adversaries” in an era of increasingly complex cyber threats.

The MOD emphasised that the system will be designed with strict data sovereignty and security controls to ensure the UK retains full authority over its most sensitive information. A dedicated Google Cloud team will be established in the UK to manage the technology, representing what officials describe as “millions of pounds of inward investment” and a new pipeline of highly skilled digital jobs.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal demonstrated how defence can fuel wider economic growth: “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. This partnership delivers on the Strategic Defence Review and helps us develop the digital edge we need to counter adversaries.”

The MOD is committed to utilising next-generation technology and AI to enhance our operational capabilities.

The MOD has argued that modernisation is essential to counter hostile actors, including those who target everyday life through cyberattacks and attempts to steal sensitive data. Officials believe the deal will not only enhance operational readiness but also reassure the public that the UK’s digital defences are keeping pace with global threats.

General Sir James Hockenhull, Commander of the MOD’s Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, described the deal as a “critical component” of the department’s wider digital transformation strategy: “The MOD is committed to utilising next-generation technology and AI to enhance our operational capabilities and ensure the security of the United Kingdom. Partnering with Google Cloud allows us to deliver a secure and resilient cloud environment for highly sensitive data.”

For Google Cloud, the contract marks a significant UK public sector win. Tara Brady, the company’s EMEA President, said the partnership underscored Google Cloud’s commitment to supporting national resilience: “This partnership will enable the MOD to accelerate its digital modernisation efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and data sovereignty.”