dambuster - stock.adobe.comNewsMoD set to develop 50m data analytics platform with KainosThe Ministry of Defence has chosen IT services provider Kainos to develop its 50m data analytics platform across all armed services, over a three-year programmeByBrian McKenna,Enterprise Applications EditorPublished: 05 Feb 2025 9:45 The Ministry of Defence (MoD) aims to develop its Defence Data Analytics Platform (DDAP) over the next three years, with IT services firm Kainos, in a contract worth 50m.Kainos will provide support for users across the MoD, including the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and other MoD support organisations, to change over to a developed version of the platform.The DDAP is billed by the Defence Ministry as a secure data and analytics system, launched by Defence Digital, which is part of the MoDs Strategic Command. Defence Digitals chief information officer is Charlie Forte, and its budget is 2bn, with 2,400 personnel.The MoD launched the DDAP in January 2023, with an 8.625m contract awarded to Cognizant.The DDAPs aim is to support the Data Strategy for Defence, as outlined under the prime ministership of Boris Johnson. The goals of that strategy included, by 2025, for data to be curated, integrated, and human and machine-ready for exploitation in the battlespace and for it to be in second place only to Army, Royal Navy and RAF personnel.The platform is built on Amazon Web Services, and its stated aim is to democratise data access, standardise approaches and tooling, and encourage interoperability and sharing of best practice across the MoD.The MoD already holds excellent analytical minds and capabilities across defence, said an MoD spokesperson, quoted by Kainos. The evolution of DDAP will encourage minds to further unite under one true enterprise system, to help meet the ambitions of the Data Strategy for Defence for standardised, assured and efficient data analytics, as well as accelerate the delivery of new technology capabilities including AI innovation. Kainos brings the technical expertise to evolve the platform, as well as invaluable digital experience. As a partner, Kainos will help us create a data-first mindset and skills across UK defence.Read more about technology strategy at the Ministry of DefenceMoD sets out strategy to develop military AI with private sector.Ministry of Defence releases defence data management strategy.Government announces data strategy for defence.Kainos will provide platform management, maintenance and support for DDAP, and also be responsible for data integration across the MoD. A goal of the programme is to limit the duplication of analytics initiatives across the organisation.On the people side, it has worked with the Defence Digital organisation to create, according to a Kainos statement, skilled data teams to design and roll out end user applications on DDAP to support analytics and bespoke use cases.That activity continues under the new contract, and the vendor will liaise with end users on their specific data analytics requirements.It is a great privilege to expand our partnership with the MoD to drive forward an evolution of how data analytics is used across UK defence, said Brendan Mooney, CEO of Kainos. DDAP is a pioneering initiative which we will help to strengthen by introducing new approaches to data management, tooling and governance, and importantly by working closely with personnel across the MoD to understand their specific data needs.By continuously evolving the platform, DDAP remains at the forefront of data and AI analytics, maximising the value extracted from data assets, and supporting the overall digital vision of the MoD.Kainos has already started work with the MoD under the new contract, which ends on 6 January 2028.In The Current Issue:Forrester: Why digitisation needs strong data engineering skillsLabours first digital government strategy: Is it dj vu or something new?Download Current IssueA driving licence in an app is a boost for digital identity - but not for angry suppliers Computer Weekly Editors BlogRedis restriction reaction: Percona offers support for Valkey Open Source InsiderView All Blogs