Days before Trump visit, UK enters $543 mn Google Cloud deal to boost national security – Firstpost

Google Cloud has secured a deal worth $543 million with the United Kingdom to strengthen secure communication lines between Britain and the US, ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the country.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the deal includes Google Cloud’s latest technologies, like “AI, data analytics, and cyber security”, to be deployed by the military for intelligence and national security specialists.

The department explained that the UK and US would now be able to “deploy the same technology, at the same classification, strengthening allied missions and partnerships.”

However, it noted that data stored in the platform will not be shared with Washington via Google. The ministry touted millions of pounds of inward investment from Google Cloud, noting the US tech giant will recruit a specialist UK team to manage the programme.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the tech had “strict data sovereignty and security controls” which ensured “critical data remains under direct UK control”.

Tara Brady, Google Cloud’s EMEA President, said the contract would help the UK government “develop a robust and resilient infrastructure and harness the latest technology innovations”.

“This partnership will enable the MoD to accelerate its digital modernisation efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and data sovereignty,” he added.

This initiative builds on the Strategic Defence Review, which calls for the UK Armed Forces to accelerate modernisation, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and strengthen cooperation with allies such as the United States.

The new capability will enhance our ability to outpace hostile actors—those who seek to disrupt daily life, steal sensitive data, and carry out targeted cyber attacks against the UK and its people.

With inputs from agencies