Brussels Bets on Digital Sovereignty: DAIDS Project Aims to Secure EU Defense Data Without Foreign Reliance
The European Union is taking decisive steps toward digital and military sovereignty by pursuing a fully independent defense data infrastructure, free from reliance on American technologies. In early February 2026, the European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) aligned on a strategic direction to develop the European Defence Artificial Intelligence Data Space (DAIDS), a secure, federated platform for sharing sensitive military information among member states. This initiative, targeting full operational capability by 2030, represents a pivotal shift in Europe’s defense posture amid growing concerns over strategic vulnerabilities tied to foreign digital dependencies.
For decades, European armed forces have heavily relied on non-European – primarily American – digital tools for cloud services, data storage, command systems, intelligence processing, and communication networks. Major platforms from U.S. hyperscalers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have dominated due to their efficiency, scalability, and advanced capabilities. However, this dependence has created what EU officials describe as a form of “strategic isolation.” In modern warfare, where data drives everything from real-time decision-making to predictive analytics and AI-enabled operations, lack of full control over critical infrastructure poses risks. Extraterritorial laws, such as those under the U.S. Cloud Act, could compel providers to grant access to data, potentially compromising operational secrecy. Geopolitical tensions, including uncertainties in transatlantic alliances under shifting U.S. administrations, have amplified these concerns, prompting European leaders to view such reliance as incompatible with true autonomy.
The DAIDS project addresses these issues head-on. Described in EDA planning documents as an “EU-wide federated framework designed to enable trusted, secure, and sovereign sharing of defence-relevant data,” it allows member states to retain control over their own data while participating in a common, interoperable system. Unlike centralized clouds dominated by foreign providers, this federated model emphasizes sovereignty: data remains under national jurisdiction, with exchanges governed by EU standards for security, encryption, and compliance. The initiative supports the secure circulation of operational, industrial, logistical, and intelligence data, fostering better military cooperation across borders.
A key complementary element is the push for a sovereign military cloud. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has urged governments to develop this infrastructure to host sensitive data and power future capabilities, particularly in military artificial intelligence. By avoiding American technologies, the EU aims to eliminate exposure to foreign legal frameworks and ensure resilience against potential disruptions or access denials. This aligns with broader European efforts to build “EuroStack” components in strategic areas like cloud, AI, and space.
The project builds on prior EU initiatives, including the Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap and the European Defence Fund (EDF). The EDF’s 2026 work programme continues to fund related research, while the overall push ties into the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, which outlines flagship efforts like space shields and enhanced capabilities. Recent defense spending trends underscore the commitment: EU member states’ collective defense expenditure reached approximately €381 billion in 2025, with significant portions directed toward investment in equipment, research, and development. Leaders acknowledge that financial resources alone are insufficient; the real challenge lies in overcoming historical industrial fragmentation and technological fragmentation inherited from national silos.
Implementation follows a phased timeline. Initial development focuses on architecture design and prototyping, with gradual integration into military exercises and operations starting around 2029. By 2030, DAIDS is expected to be embedded in routine armed forces activities, reducing interoperability barriers that have hampered joint missions. This ramp-up should enhance collective effectiveness, enabling faster decision-making, improved situational awareness, and advanced AI applications in defense.
The initiative reflects a maturing European awareness that digital sovereignty extends beyond economics to core security imperatives. Several member states have already begun shifting away from U.S. tools in sensitive sectors, prioritizing European or open alternatives. This trend is driven by recognition that immediate efficiency gains from foreign solutions have come at the cost of long-term strategic vulnerability. In a multipolar world marked by hybrid threats, cyber risks, and potential alliance strains, control over data flows has become a cornerstone of military credibility.
Critics may argue that excluding American technologies could slow innovation or increase costs, given the dominance of U.S. firms in cutting-edge AI and cloud. However, proponents emphasize that sovereignty is non-negotiable for credible autonomy, especially as Europe seeks to complement – not replace – NATO contributions. The federated approach, combined with investments in domestic capabilities, aims to balance independence with interoperability where possible.
Ultimately, the sovereign defense data space initiative signals Europe’s determination to close the gap in digital-military resilience. By 2030, if successful, it could transform fragmented national systems into a cohesive, trustworthy framework, bolstering the EU’s strategic posture and enabling more effective collective defense in an uncertain era.
