Digital Twins & Operational Agility 

Enabling a smarter, safer force

When complexity increases, agility wins. In today’s dynamic defence landscape, digital twins are no longer experimental — they are essential enablers of mission readiness, logistics resilience, and real-time insight.

At Sopra Steria, we don’t just create digital replicas of systems. We deliver dynamic, connected models that simulate, test, and improve operations — across the physical and digital spectrum. For the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, digital twins unlock new levels of preparedness, decision support, and lifecycle control across domains.

We don’t simulate for the sake of simulation. We simulate to optimise, adapt and act — faster, smarter, and with full sovereignty.

What is a Defence Digital Twin?

A digital twin is a live, evolving model of an asset, system, or operation — continuously updated with real-world data. It allows decision-makers to test scenarios, forecast outcomes, and improve performance without putting assets or lives at risk.

At Sopra Steria, our digital twins support:

  • Operational planning & rehearsal

  • Logistics chain modelling & optimisation

  • Predictive maintenance & readiness tracking

  • Training environment generation

  • Force structure and mobility testing

Why it matters to the Netherlands MoD

As the Dutch Armed Forces modernise their platforms and operational concepts, complexity rises: joint-force coordination, multi-domain environments, extended logistics, aging assets, and evolving threats.

Digital twins offer critical capabilities to:

 

Simulate mission scenarios before deployment

Anticipate failure points across fleets and assets

Improve safety and reduce cost across planning and execution

Enable commanders to make faster, data-driven decisions

Stress-test logistics and support chains

Our approach: Data-driven, modular, defence-ready

 

Built for real-world use, not just modelling
We tailor our twins to operational needs — not lab specs. Our teams co-design models with frontline users, ensuring relevance, usability, and mission fit.

Connected to live data
A digital twin is only as good as the data it uses. We integrate IoT, ERP, asset telemetry, and C2 systems to keep your twin current, relevant, and valuable.

Simulate across the lifecycle
From procurement to decommissioning, our twins support analysis at every stage: acquisition impact, readiness planning, MRO optimisation, and beyond.

Secure, sovereign by design
We design simulation and twin environments that respect data sensitivity, security clearance, and Dutch/EU regulatory frameworks.

Where Digital Twins add immediate value

  • Joint training & simulation: Build secure, flexible rehearsal environments for multi-unit and coalition exercises

  • Logistics resilience: Simulate parts flow, depot capacity, and contingency routing for high-readiness support

  • Fleet modernisation: Model the lifecycle cost, availability and impact of new platforms

  • Base infrastructure planning: Use spatial twins to plan facility upgrades, power systems, and defence mobility

  • Operational forecasting: Simulate mission outcomes using real-world force data and historical scenario inputs

Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Apr 2, 2025, 14:25 PM
Title* : Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Sopra Steria Benelux, Cloud Data Engine (CDE) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are proud to announce their selection by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the "Service Framework Contract in Cascade to Support the Implementation of the Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence for Defence."

This prestigious contract reaffirms the commitment of the stakeholders to advancing AI-driven defence capabilities in Europe, bolstering security, innovation, and technological sovereignty.

"As a key partner for digital transformation to multiple armed forces across Europe, Sopra Steria is committed to delivering secure and innovative AI solutions that strengthen strategic autonomy of European defence. More specifically, this framework contract is managed by Sopra Steria Belgium (Brussels), who is a recognised consulting and digital services provider to the EU institutions. Our solid track record is complemented by the expertise of CDE in dataspaces and the technological leadership of CEA that will be essential to the success of this project," said Cédric Genin, Consulting Director for Aerospace, Defence and Security, Sopra Steria.

“This contract award highlights CDE’s expertise to promote, design and develop cutting-edge technology and architectures for decentralized interoperability of data, serving the needed competitive advantages for sovereign defence and AI. As a pioneer in decentralized data management and compliance monitoring, CDE brings key solutions to help Europe’s defence capabilities remain innovative, resilient, and technologically autonomous." said Alban Schmutz, CEO of Cloud Data Engine.

"With its experience in sovereign assignments and its expertise in operational research for defence, CEA plays a pivotal role in transforming a strategic need for AI-based functionalities into concrete operational solutions for national and European security. Our collaboration with Sopra Steria and Cloud Data Engine brings together a unique blend of technical excellence and strategic vision for defence AI”, said Nizar Touleimat, Director of the Research & Innovation programme, Smart Digital Systems for Security & Defence, CEA.

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We bring defence simulation to life

Sopra Steria’s strength lies in our ability to integrate simulation into live operations. We don’t deliver tools in isolation. We deliver end-to-end simulation ecosystems that connect:

  • Command systems and digital backbones

  • Logistics and ERP environments

  • Geospatial, mobility and weather data

  • Cyber resilience scenarios and threat models

We have delivered digital twin ecosystems to support predictive maintenance in fleet systems, joint operational planning tools for European agencies, and simulated testing environments for critical system modernisation — all built to scale securely, and serve real mission needs.

Prepare, predict, prevail — with Digital Twins

In today’s environment, the ability to rehearse, adapt and respond quickly is a decisive advantage. Sopra Steria helps MOD NL gain that edge — through simulation that informs every decision, and digital twins that mirror the complexity of the mission.

Let’s build systems that think ahead — so your force can move forward with clarity and control.

Contact our experts

Defence Intelligence Hub

Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Apr 2, 2025, 14:25 PM
Title* : Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Sopra Steria Benelux, Cloud Data Engine (CDE) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are proud to announce their selection by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the "Service Framework Contract in Cascade to Support the Implementation of the Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence for Defence."

This prestigious contract reaffirms the commitment of the stakeholders to advancing AI-driven defence capabilities in Europe, bolstering security, innovation, and technological sovereignty.

"As a key partner for digital transformation to multiple armed forces across Europe, Sopra Steria is committed to delivering secure and innovative AI solutions that strengthen strategic autonomy of European defence. More specifically, this framework contract is managed by Sopra Steria Belgium (Brussels), who is a recognised consulting and digital services provider to the EU institutions. Our solid track record is complemented by the expertise of CDE in dataspaces and the technological leadership of CEA that will be essential to the success of this project," said Cédric Genin, Consulting Director for Aerospace, Defence and Security, Sopra Steria.

“This contract award highlights CDE’s expertise to promote, design and develop cutting-edge technology and architectures for decentralized interoperability of data, serving the needed competitive advantages for sovereign defence and AI. As a pioneer in decentralized data management and compliance monitoring, CDE brings key solutions to help Europe’s defence capabilities remain innovative, resilient, and technologically autonomous." said Alban Schmutz, CEO of Cloud Data Engine.

"With its experience in sovereign assignments and its expertise in operational research for defence, CEA plays a pivotal role in transforming a strategic need for AI-based functionalities into concrete operational solutions for national and European security. Our collaboration with Sopra Steria and Cloud Data Engine brings together a unique blend of technical excellence and strategic vision for defence AI”, said Nizar Touleimat, Director of the Research & Innovation programme, Smart Digital Systems for Security & Defence, CEA.

Tags :

Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Apr 2, 2025, 14:25 PM
Title* : Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Sopra Steria Benelux, Cloud Data Engine (CDE) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are proud to announce their selection by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the "Service Framework Contract in Cascade to Support the Implementation of the Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence for Defence."

This prestigious contract reaffirms the commitment of the stakeholders to advancing AI-driven defence capabilities in Europe, bolstering security, innovation, and technological sovereignty.

"As a key partner for digital transformation to multiple armed forces across Europe, Sopra Steria is committed to delivering secure and innovative AI solutions that strengthen strategic autonomy of European defence. More specifically, this framework contract is managed by Sopra Steria Belgium (Brussels), who is a recognised consulting and digital services provider to the EU institutions. Our solid track record is complemented by the expertise of CDE in dataspaces and the technological leadership of CEA that will be essential to the success of this project," said Cédric Genin, Consulting Director for Aerospace, Defence and Security, Sopra Steria.

“This contract award highlights CDE’s expertise to promote, design and develop cutting-edge technology and architectures for decentralized interoperability of data, serving the needed competitive advantages for sovereign defence and AI. As a pioneer in decentralized data management and compliance monitoring, CDE brings key solutions to help Europe’s defence capabilities remain innovative, resilient, and technologically autonomous." said Alban Schmutz, CEO of Cloud Data Engine.

"With its experience in sovereign assignments and its expertise in operational research for defence, CEA plays a pivotal role in transforming a strategic need for AI-based functionalities into concrete operational solutions for national and European security. Our collaboration with Sopra Steria and Cloud Data Engine brings together a unique blend of technical excellence and strategic vision for defence AI”, said Nizar Touleimat, Director of the Research & Innovation programme, Smart Digital Systems for Security & Defence, CEA.

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Related news

Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Apr 2, 2025, 14:25 PM
Title* : Sopra Steria, CDE & CEA win European Defence Agency framework to build secure, sovereign, scalable pan‑EU AI defence data space.

Sopra Steria Benelux, Cloud Data Engine (CDE) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are proud to announce their selection by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the "Service Framework Contract in Cascade to Support the Implementation of the Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence for Defence."

This prestigious contract reaffirms the commitment of the stakeholders to advancing AI-driven defence capabilities in Europe, bolstering security, innovation, and technological sovereignty.

"As a key partner for digital transformation to multiple armed forces across Europe, Sopra Steria is committed to delivering secure and innovative AI solutions that strengthen strategic autonomy of European defence. More specifically, this framework contract is managed by Sopra Steria Belgium (Brussels), who is a recognised consulting and digital services provider to the EU institutions. Our solid track record is complemented by the expertise of CDE in dataspaces and the technological leadership of CEA that will be essential to the success of this project," said Cédric Genin, Consulting Director for Aerospace, Defence and Security, Sopra Steria.

“This contract award highlights CDE’s expertise to promote, design and develop cutting-edge technology and architectures for decentralized interoperability of data, serving the needed competitive advantages for sovereign defence and AI. As a pioneer in decentralized data management and compliance monitoring, CDE brings key solutions to help Europe’s defence capabilities remain innovative, resilient, and technologically autonomous." said Alban Schmutz, CEO of Cloud Data Engine.

"With its experience in sovereign assignments and its expertise in operational research for defence, CEA plays a pivotal role in transforming a strategic need for AI-based functionalities into concrete operational solutions for national and European security. Our collaboration with Sopra Steria and Cloud Data Engine brings together a unique blend of technical excellence and strategic vision for defence AI”, said Nizar Touleimat, Director of the Research & Innovation programme, Smart Digital Systems for Security & Defence, CEA.

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