![\"Defence\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Chemring1.jpeg\")
\t\tBT said the agreement would help BAE staff access digital tools \t<\/p>\n\t\t\tThursday 14 May 2026 3:55 pm\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\tBT said the agreement would help BAE staff access digital tools \t<\/p>\n
BT has signed a five-year deal <\/a>with BAE Systems to provide secure connectivity across the defence giant\u2019s global operations, as military contractors ramp up digital infrastructure spend.<\/p>\n The contract will see BT support BAE\u2019s network across 40 countries, with an option to extend the partnership by an additional three years.<\/p>\n The deal comes as BAE, Europe\u2019s largest defence contractor, benefits from rising defence spending and a record order backlog amid heightened geopolitical tensions.<\/p>\n BT said the agreement would help BAE staff access digital tools more flexibly, including in specialist and sensitive environments.<\/p>\n Chris Sims, chief commercial officer at BT, said: \u201cNetworks are mission-critical to BAE Systems\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership is about getting those foundations exactly right\u201d, he added, saying BT\u2019s secure networks would give BAE \u201ca platform they can depend on to support the UK\u2019s security, now and into the future\u201d.<\/p>\n The contract follows BT\u2019s launch of a sovereign platform designed for firms handling sensitive data or operating in regulated sectors like defence or critical national infrastructure.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n \t\t\tAs it happened: UK borrowing costs rattled by Burnham\u2019s Parliament bid<\/a><\/p>\n \tDefence goes digital<\/p>\n BAE is also extending its partnership with DXC Technology, which will give its AI cloud platform to over 110,000 employees.<\/p>\n Together, the deals reflect a wider push by the defence sector to modernise ageing systems and secure data across global operations.<\/p>\n Dr Mary Haigh, director of digital delivery at BAE Systems, said the firm was shifting its digital ecosystem to create a \u201csecure, insight-led digitally enabled working environment\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cOur partners will play a critical role by unlocking greater agility, pace and innovation across our business\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n