Sopra Steria: Enabling Europe’s Defense Data Sovereignty and AI Integration
Sopra Steria is emerging as a linchpin in Europe’s drive for technological sovereignty. This Paris-headquartered firm has long been known as a leader in digital consulting and IT services, but it is now also at the forefront of defense innovation. In recent years, the company has forged deep partnerships with European defense institutions and has taken on a larger role in critical military programs. From securing a prestigious European Defence Agency contract to build a federated AI-driven “defence data space”[1], to signing a groundbreaking cooperation agreement with France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces[2][3], Sopra Steria is aligning its tech expertise with Europe’s strategic autonomy goals. It is also actively championing sovereign cloud standards – backing the EU’s cybersecurity certification for cloud (EUCS) to ensure that sensitive European data remains secure from foreign interference[4][5]. These moves position Sopra Steria as more than an IT provider; it is becoming an enabler of interoperability and data security for Europe’s next-generation defense systems. The company’s evolution into a defense-tech partner for European governments and NATO allies signals its commitment to helping Europe reduce dependency on non-allied suppliers and strengthen collective technological deterrence.