Thanks to this new solution, Thales, as a field-proven trusted integrator, and Microsoft, as a trusted Cloud provider, will accompany the digital transformation of armed forces both in the command center and on the operations theatre. This modular solution will allow armed forces to keep their sensitive data inside their own infrastructures.

Armed forces across the world are investing heavily in digital transformation, especially in the digitalisation of their command and control and battlefield communications systems, with the development of collaborative combat. Equipment now in development results from the adoption of digital technology in the defence domain, but it also benefits from the emergence of dual civil military platforms, which can interconnect battlefield systems with digital networks residing outside the tactical environment.

Together the two groups will become the first to offer a complementary solution adapted to the differing needs of armed forces from national command centres down to individual theatres of operations, with no compromise on security.

The elegance of combining the Thales and Microsoft solutions, will provide armed forces with a flexible cloud application platform, that goes far beyond the basic functionalities of data storage and management, which secured defence clouds do not currently possess. In future applications developments, Azure Stack, augmented by using Guavus Reflex analytics platform, could give users the ability to analyse big amount of data in real-time for intelligence gathering, to use military IoT applications involving various types of sensors on the field or even to exchange data with mobile applications for augmented soldiers.

This collaborative endeavour will achieve a synergy never before obtained. Armed forces will be able to use the size and scope of Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform whilst maintaining a robust and secured cloud for the classified material they need to accomplish their national defence mission, thus achieving maximum flexibility with maximum security.

“We are thrilled to announce our unique partnership with Thales to accelerate digital transformation in the defence sector. Our solution, Microsoft Azure Stack will help armed forces in the analysis of huge volumes of sensitive data in order to make break through developments. Together with Thales, we will be able to provide a flexible cloud platform with an unequalled level of security that will help overcome challenges within the defence industry”, Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft.

“This preferred partnership reflects the shared spirit and passion for breakthrough technologies between our two groups and our teams. We are glad to reinforce our strong relationship with Microsoft through this new venture. Together, we will shape this new technological construct perfectly suited to support the evolving security needs of modern armed forces as they accelerate their digital transformation”, Philippe Keryer, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Research and Technology, Thales.