Thales supports NATO’s digital transformation with the delivery of a secure private cloud

NATO has taken a major step forward in the modernisation of its digital infrastructure with the official launch of the ITM-ON (Information Technology Modernization Operational Network) programme.

Signed on June 10, 2025, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels between the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and Leidos — the project’s prime contractor — this €79.1 million contract marks the beginning of an ambitious initiative to provide the Alliance with a unified, automated, scalable, and highly secure cloud infrastructure, along with centralised IT services.

Alongside Leidos, several leading industrial partners are contributing to the project, including Thales, CGI, Leonardo, LA International, and Nexor. 

Within this framework, Thales will play a key role by integrating a secure, on-premises, interoperable private cloud solution designed to process NATO-classified data. This architecture leverages the latest technologies, including sovereign cloud, network virtualisation, next-generation computing and storage capabilities, Zero Trust principles, and Data-Centric Security. The system will enable the rapid deployment and continuous updating of hundreds of critical applications used by thousands of users, while significantly reducing recurring costs.

The project will directly support NATO Command Structure, ensuring operational continuity. With this new IT infrastructure, NATO will be able to process and share classified information more efficiently and collaborate securely, enhancing its agility and decision-making capability in high-stakes situations.

Expected to be operational by the end of 2027, this system not only highlights the crucial role of public–private and transatlantic cooperation in building a secure, connected digital infrastructure for the Alliance but also demonstrates Thales’ contribution to European technological sovereignty.