Introduction to Oracle’s UK Investment Programme
Oracle has shared new details on its UK investment programme, first announced in March, which includes AI services and a sovereign cloud platform. Earlier this year, the company pledged $5 billion to expand Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) in the UK and support government efforts around AI adoption. The latest update highlights progress on a sovereign cloud offering designed for government and defence users, with services like generative AI and the OCI AI Agent Platform.
The Sovereign Cloud Platform
The sovereign cloud is intended to give the UK, US, and NATO a shared, secure platform and ensure data complies with national and international regulations. Officials say the move will allow sensitive workloads to run at scale without compromising security or control. The announcement was timed with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, during which several American technology firms unveiled new commitments to the country. Oracle CEO Safra Catz stated, "Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, allied nations are increasing defence investments to strengthen peace and security. Oracle is proud to deliver advanced cloud and AI infrastructure to support the important missions of government and defence organisations in the UK and NATO member states throughout Europe."
National Security Priorities
UK technology minister Kanishka Narayan linked the investment to national security priorities. "Protecting its citizens is the most important job of any government," he said. "The investment by Oracle is helping us make sure we can continue to protect our national security in an increasingly uncertain world." The update follows Oracle’s recent agreement with NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), which is shifting mission-important workloads from on-premise systems to OCI’s sovereign cloud.
NATO Workloads Moving to Oracle Cloud
OCI will help the NCIA manage, analyse, and protect their data while also giving them more control and peace of mind where data is stored and where workloads run, according to Richard Smith, Oracle’s executive vice-president of technology and GM of EMEA. NATO has said the migration will ensure compliance with requirements for data residency, access to hyperscale services, and tighter operational controls. French defence firm Thales will assist with system integration, while Belgian telecom provider Proximus will supply networking solutions.
Oracle’s AI Partnerships
Oracle’s UK push also reflects its deepening relationship with OpenAI. In September, the two companies reportedly signed a five-year deal worth $300 billion, though neither has confirmed it. Earlier in July, OpenAI said it would buy 4.5 GW of data centre capacity from Oracle starting in 2028, at a cost of $30 billion annually. The timing also fits into a broader wave of US technology investment tied to Trump’s visit. Microsoft announced plans to build a supercomputer as part of a $15 billion AI infrastructure program. CoreWeave committed $2 billion to expand its UK data centres, while Google recently opened its new facility in Hertfordshire.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Oracle’s UK investment programme is a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to expand its cloud infrastructure and AI services in the region. The sovereign cloud platform is designed to provide a secure and compliant environment for government and defence users, and the partnership with OpenAI is a major milestone in the development of AI technology. As the UK and other countries continue to invest in cloud computing and AI, it will be exciting to see how these technologies shape the future of national security and defence.
FAQs
Q: What is Oracle’s UK investment programme?
A: Oracle’s UK investment programme is a $5 billion investment to expand Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) in the UK and support government efforts around AI adoption.
Q: What is the sovereign cloud platform?
A: The sovereign cloud platform is a secure and compliant environment for government and defence users, designed to ensure data complies with national and international regulations.
Q: What is the partnership between Oracle and OpenAI?
A: Oracle and OpenAI have reportedly signed a five-year deal worth $300 billion, with OpenAI buying 4.5 GW of data centre capacity from Oracle starting in 2028.
Q: How will the sovereign cloud platform benefit NATO?
A: The sovereign cloud platform will provide NATO with a shared, secure platform and ensure data complies with national and international regulations, allowing sensitive workloads to run at scale without compromising security or control.
Q: What other US technology investments have been announced in the UK?
A: Microsoft has announced plans to build a supercomputer as part of a $15 billion AI infrastructure program, CoreWeave has committed $2 billion to expand its UK data centres, and Google has recently opened its new facility in Hertfordshire.
