Pentagon Strikes Deals With Eight Major AI Firms to Deploy Systems on Classified Networks

The Department of Defense has reached agreements with eight leading artificial intelligence companies to deploy their systems on the Pentagon’s classified networks as it accelerates AI integration across military operations.

Companies involved: OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection AI, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and SpaceX initially signed agreements to provide AI capabilities for what the Pentagon described as “lawful operational use.” The department later confirmed that Oracle is also part of the arrangement. Anthropic was not included after being designated a supply-chain risk earlier this year.

Where the systems will operate

The approved AI tools will be integrated into the DoD’s Impact Level 6 and Impact Level 7 classified networks to “streamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding, and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments,” the Pentagon said. These networks host sensitive classified workloads and require heightened security and compliance safeguards.

Adoption and context

AI has steadily grown in importance for U.S. defense. The Pentagon said its primary AI platform, GenAI.mil, has been used by more than 1.3 million Defense Department personnel after five months in service, underscoring rapid user adoption across the department.

Note: A Reuters source earlier reported that Google — already used within some DoD systems — signed terms allowing its AI models to be used for classified tasks.

The Pentagon emphasized that all deployments must meet security, legal and operational requirements. The inclusion of multiple commercial providers aims to enhance resilience, offer a range of capabilities, and reduce single-vendor dependence while maintaining strict controls over classified data and use cases.

Reporting contributed by Reuters and The Hill. © 2026