Amazon secures another $1.3 billion defense contract: to build a secure data center for the Australian government

According to Zhitong Finance, Amazon (AMZN.US) will collaborate with the Australian government to establish a cloud data system to handle classified information. The Australian government stated that this move will enhance Australia's cyber capabilities and deepen security cooperation with the United States. On Thursday morning, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles announced the partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) at a press conference in Canberra, revealing that the Australian government will invest at least AUD 2 billion (approximately USD 1.3 billion) in the new system over the next decade. The locations of these data centers and the nature of the information they will hold have not been disclosed.

Marles, who also serves as the Australian Minister for Defence, stated in a release, "This cutting-edge technology will enhance the ADF's responsiveness, improve the operational capabilities of the Australian Defence Force, strengthen interoperability with key international partners, and provide up to 2,000 job opportunities for Australians."

Under the agreement, Amazon will construct three "purpose-built" facilities across Australia to store highly classified information primarily from Australian defence and intelligence agencies.

In 2021, AWS announced that it had signed a NZD 7.5 billion (approximately USD 5.3 billion) deal to establish similar data centers in New Zealand, and reports in the same year indicated that British intelligence agencies had signed cloud service agreements to host their classified data