Combat Cloud, Sovereignty & Interoperability

The foundation of a digitally ready force

Modern defence success is built on speed, trust, and control — not just over weapons or data, but over the digital architecture that binds it all together. That is where the Combat Cloud concept becomes not just relevant, but mission-critical.

At Sopra Steria, we believe that digital sovereignty and operational interoperability must go hand-in-hand. We support defence forces — including the Netherlands Ministry of Defence — in building integrated, sovereign digital infrastructures that accelerate mission planning, enable real-time coordination, and ensure secure, multi-theatre execution.

This is not just IT modernisation — this is the digital backbone of national defence.

What is Combat Cloud?

The Combat Cloud is more than infrastructure. It’s a federated, mission-ready architecture that allows joint forces to collect, share, and act on critical data in real time — securely, resiliently, and at scale.

It integrates battlefield sensors, command platforms, simulation environments, and logistical data flows into a coherent digital fabric — enabling faster decisions, improved situational awareness, and coordinated response across domains (land, sea, air, cyber, space).

Why it matters to the Netherlands MoD

With the Netherlands intensifying its strategic autonomy goals, operating in NATO and EU frameworks, and modernising joint readiness — Combat Cloud principles offer a scalable foundation to:

Integrate fragmented platforms across land, maritime, and air forces
Enable real-time C2 coordination with allied forces
Protect mission-critical data flows with sovereign infrastructure
Support future concepts like manned-unmanned teaming and distributed command

Sopra Steria brings the governance, architecture and security frameworks to make this operational — not just theoretical.

InfrateX Consortium led by Sopra Steria awarded Simpl – a major multiple Framework contract for DG CONNECT of the European Commission

Our approach: Sovereign, modular, mission-aligned

Sovereign infrastructure for Defence Data
We help the Ministry of Defence build and operate private, secure clouds — ensuring data residency, regulatory alignment, and control at every level. From hybrid infrastructures to edge nodes, sovereignty is not optional — it’s the default.

Modular integration across systems
Combat Cloud architectures must work with what exists. We deliver modular frameworks that connect legacy platforms, emerging sensors, and external partner systems — without overhauls or vendor lock-in.

Mission-centric Interoperability
We design interoperability not for compliance, but for combat-readiness. Our systems support secure cross-domain messaging, federated identity access, and dynamic access control — across NATO, EU and bilateral coalitions.

Operational resilience built-in
Combat Cloud is only useful if it survives contested environments. Our architectures are hardened for degraded networks, disconnected operations, and cyber denial — ensuring decision dominance when it’s most needed.

Key capabilities we deliver

Secure Cloud architecture: Private/hybrid cloud platforms built for mission-critical use cases (incl. edge cloud)

Data fabric & governance: Scalable data models, lineage tracking, and security enforcement

Simulation + Live feed fusion: Blending real-world data with simulation layers for training, planning, and operational rehearsal

Zero trust by design: Combat Cloud infrastructures built with secure access, encryption and behavioural monitoring

Cross-domain integration: Federated systems for intelligence, logistics, and C2 data

Multi-theatre coordination: Platforms that enable live tasking, situational sharing, and coalition interoperability

Proven in Europe. Designed for Sovereignty

Our experience with European defence cloud programmes, cross-border platforms (e.g. Frontex, eu-LISA), and secure integration architectures makes us a trusted delivery partner — not just an IT supplier.

We understand the Dutch context: coalition operations, joint command evolution, and the balance between openness and sovereignty. That’s why we don’t deliver "off-the-shelf" clouds. We co-develop operational Combat Cloud architectures that align with your force structure, regulatory posture, and command realities.

Combat Cloud isn’t the future — It is the infrastructure of now

Your digital battlefield doesn’t begin when the mission starts. It begins with architecture, readiness, and control. Sopra Steria helps make that future real, today — with trusted execution, sovereign delivery, and full alignment to the MOD NL’s evolving doctrine.

Let’s build the cloud your mission demands. Together.

Contact our experts