UK MoD taps Oracle cloud to modernise legacy systems
Oracle has signed a new cloud agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence, extending work between the two organisations around the use of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for legacy system modernisation and data use.
The Ministry of Defence said it plans to move legacy technology systems on to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. The department linked the work to its modernisation objectives and its adoption of AI.
The agreement also sits within a wider technology approach at the MoD. The department described a multi-vendor strategy for technology procurement and deployment.
Oracle and the MoD did not disclose financial terms, contract length, or the timetable for moving systems and data.
Modernisation focus
The MoD described its focus as operational efficiency and decision-making. It also highlighted its intention to treat data as a strategic asset across defence activities.
In its announcement, Oracle said the agreement covers the modernisation and consolidation of legacy systems. It said the MoD will gain access to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure as part of the arrangement.
The MoD’s Commercial Director highlighted the relationship and referenced wider workforce efforts tied to the agreement.
“The OCI agreement strengthens the long standing strategic relationship between MoD and Oracle, and reflects the MoDs multi-vendor strategy to leverage the best available technologies to deliver operational outcomes and greater efficiency. This agreement also includes a commitment to digital skills development, education and social value investment supporting the wider Defence and UK Government agenda to build a digitally skilled workforce”, said Victoria Cope, Commercial Director Ministry of Defence.
AI and data
Oracle framed the agreement around the MoD’s plans for data and AI use. The company said the migration of workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure would avoid “complicated and costly rewrites”.
“The UK MoD is moving quickly to use data and AI in far more sophisticated ways to strengthen national security for UK citizens. Migrating workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will allow it to do this rapidly and at scale, without complicated and costly rewrites. The MoD will benefit from OCI’s in-built security and AI solutions, providing a resilient foundation for faster innovation, improved decision making and mission ready capabilities”, said Jason Rees, Senior Vice President of Technology Engineering, Oracle EMEA.
The MoD has invested in a range of digital and data programmes in recent years, including efforts to consolidate infrastructure and improve data access across defence. Large suppliers and systems integrators have competed for roles in these programmes, with departments often balancing security requirements with interoperability and procurement rules.
Oracle has expanded its cloud infrastructure footprint in the UK and across Europe in recent years. Governments and defence organisations have increased spending on cloud services as they seek newer approaches to hosting, data management and application delivery.
Under the new agreement, the organisations said the work will include digital skills development and education commitments. The statement also referred to social value investment aligned with wider defence and UK government workforce priorities.
The MoD and Oracle said the agreement forms part of ongoing collaboration, with further migration and modernisation work expected as the department consolidates legacy systems and expands its use of data and AI across operations.