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Europe’s Expanding Vision for a Digital Defense Architecture
Europe’s long-term plan to develop a fully integrated digital defense network is far more complex than many policymakers initially anticipated. Central to this vision is the creation of a “combat cloud,” a secure data-sharing system that would allow European nations to exchange intelligence, battlefield information and mission-critical communications instantly and with high resilience. According to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, the scale of this transformation means the system is unlikely to be operational for at least ten years. He made these remarks during a fireside discussion at the Adopt AI conference in Paris, emphasizing that Europe must move from fragmented national systems to one cohesive digital architecture.

Why the Combat Cloud Will Take a Decade
Faury explained that building a real-time digital battlefield requires substantial investments in secure satellite infrastructure, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and encrypted military communications. European defense systems currently rely on a mix of legacy platforms, which were built independently by national defense ministries and often lack interoperability. Integrating these systems, Faury noted, demands not only new technology but also shared standards, unified cybersecurity protocols, and unprecedented coordination between governments and defense contractors. Industry analysts estimate that the broader modernization effort—including space assets, ground systems, and digital command platforms—could cost tens of billions of euros over the next decade.

Europe’s Competitive Pressure from Global Defense Powers
The push toward a European combat cloud is also driven by competitive pressure from the United States and China, both of which have rapidly evolved their digital warfare capabilities. The U.S. Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative already connects branches of the American military through advanced AI-powered systems, while China has accelerated investments in military satellites, quantum encryption, and autonomous battlefield platforms. European officials view the combat cloud as essential not only to modernize their own defense posture but also to ensure the continent maintains strategic independence. As Faury highlighted, Europe’s future military relevance depends on its ability to build a unified, data-centric defense environment that rivals the capabilities of other global powers.

A Long Road Ahead for European Defense Integration
While momentum is building, progress requires sustained political will from EU member states. Early components—such as secure satellite constellations, AI-driven decision-support tools, and new-generation communication systems—are already in development. But Faury warned that without continuity of funding, standardized regulations, and cross-border cooperation, the timeline could slip even further. Europe’s digital battlefield may be a decade away, but defense leaders agree it represents one of the most important modernization efforts in the region’s history.