Research
The digital battlefield is already here. From Ukraine to the Middle East, modern warfare is increasingly multi-domain, where legacy weapon systems are enhanced by cutting-edge digital technologies—especially those powered by artificial intelligence. But AI can only function effectively with robust digital infrastructure. Cloud computing is emerging as one of the key enablers in this transformation.
Cloud services support the data-heavy demands of AI by providing scalable storage and processing power. In Ukraine, for example, cloud technology has safeguarded essential government and military data amid cyber-attacks and infrastructure destruction. For NATO and its allies, the implications are clear: cloud computing is no longer a luxury but a critical component of 21st-century defence.
This guest paper by Antonio Calcara examines NATO’s efforts to adopt cloud computing as part of its broader digital modernisation agenda. As NATO moves from planning to implementation of its cloud strategy, the paper identifies six key challenges—three military and three industrial—that must be addressed to bridge the gap between ambition and capability.
On the military side, the brief explores how to:
- Bridge strategic and tactical applications of cloud tech;
- Empower end-users in the field with agile tools;
- Ensure interoperability between allied forces’ systems.
From the industrial and technological perspective, the paper highlights:
- The need for regulatory harmonisation across NATO members;
- The role of private-sector innovation;
- The implementation of a secure and efficient multi-cloud strategy.
The paper argues that overcoming these challenges will require moving beyond coordination toward “cooperation by design”—the joint development of digital architectures and infrastructure from the ground up.
As NATO enters a decisive phase in shaping its digital future, cloud computing will play a foundational role in its ability to connect sensors, shooters, and decision-makers across domains and borders. Read the full analysis to understand the strategic importance—and practical implications—of cloud integration for NATO’s operational superiority.
Antonio Calcara is Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels and Head of the Geopolitics and Technology Programme at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS).
This HCSS paper is part of a series of guest contributions related to the “NATO’s digital capabilities” project, established in the run up to the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague. The research was made possible through a financial contribution from Microsoft to the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS).
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