Sopra Steria, in consortium with Cloud Data Engine and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy
Commission (CEA), successfully presented the key results of the European Defence AI Data Space (DAIDS) blueprint
study. Its main findings were officially announced during a largely attended European Defence Agency (EDA)
webinar two weeks ago, which gathered almost 300 participants across Member States, industry and research
communities.
Keynote speakers included:
- M. Isidoros Monogioudis, Project Officer, European Defence Agency
- M. Florian Kariger, DAIDS Study Project Manager, Sopra Steria Next
- M. Olivier Tirat, Architecture expert, Cloud Data Engine
- Mrs. Fleur de Belloy, Defence Lead, Sopra Steria Next
This Blueprint represents a major milestone for Europe’s defence digital transformation, confirming both the strategic
necessity and technical feasibility of establishing a sovereign, interoperable and trusted Defence AI Data Space
supporting EU readiness objectives for the 2030–2035 horizon.
A Strategic Enabler for Europe’s Readiness 2030
As outlined in the report, Europe enters a decisive decade in which defence readiness increasingly depends on trusted
data access, AI-enabled decision-making and cross-border digital cooperation. Aligned with the European
Commission’s Readiness 2030 agenda and the EDA AI Action Plan, the Defence AI Data Space is designed as a
foundational capability to strengthen operational resilience, support multinational collaboration, and accelerate safe
and trustworthy AI adoption across European defence ecosystems.
Evidence-Based, Community-Driven Blueprint
The Blueprint is the result of a comprehensive, EU-wide analytical process including:
- A targeted stakeholder survey
- 15 expert interviews
- Two co-creation workshops with Member States, industry, agencies and RTOs
- Cross-analysis against the Data Governance Act, Data Act, AI Act, GDPR, NIS2, and NATO standards
- A structured requirements analysis identifying 98 functional and non-functional requirements
The unprecedented community interest is confirming the strategic urgency and institutional momentum behind
DAIDS.
A concrete and feasible first use case: IDEAITE
Through a rigorous multi-criteria evaluation process, the consortium identified the Interoperable Data Exchange and
AI Training Ecosystem (IDEAITE) as the most suitable first use case.
IDEAITE demonstrates how Member States can:
- Validate and improve AI models using each other’s datasets
- Without centralising or disclosing sensitive information
- Within national security boundaries
- With full auditability and policy enforcement
This pragmatic scenario offers a low-risk, high-value starting point that scales progressively toward more sensitive
defence applications.
A milestone for European Defence cooperation
The successful delivery and presentation of the DAIDS Blueprint mark a critical step forward in Europe’s ambition
to build a trusted, sovereign and operationally valuable Defence AI Data Space. The consortium — Sopra Steria Next,
Cloud Data Engine and CEA — remains committed to supporting EDA and Member States as they progress toward
implementation.