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 NCIA.

"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. The organization does not reveal specific details about its data center footprint.