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Google Plans Secretive AI Data Centre on Strategic Christmas Island

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Google is planning to build a powerful artificial intelligence data centre on Australia’s remote Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, according to documents and local officials cited by Reuters — a move that could transform the tiny outpost into a crucial node for both digital infrastructure and defence strategy.

The project, not previously disclosed, follows Google’s cloud deal with Australia’s Department of Defence signed earlier this year. While the exact cost, size, and purpose of the facility remain undisclosed, military analysts say such a data hub could be pivotal for monitoring Chinese naval operations in the Indian Ocean and supporting AI-driven defence systems.

Located about 350 kilometers south of Indonesia, Christmas Island has increasingly drawn attention from defence planners. Former U.S. Navy strategist Bryan Clark said the proposed facility could serve as a “command and control” hub in any regional crisis, especially for managing AI-enabled uncrewed systems used in surveillance or targeting.

“Subsea cables offer more reliability than satellites,” Clark explained. “If you’ve got a data centre on Christmas Island, you can do a lot of that through cloud infrastructure.”

Google has reportedly applied for environmental approval to install a subsea cable linking Christmas Island to Darwin, where U.S. Marines are stationed, with U.S. firm SubCom handling the installation. The link mirrors other military cable projects connecting strategic outposts like Diego Garcia.

Christmas Island Shire President Steve Pereira said local officials are assessing the project’s potential community impact before giving final approval. The island, home to just 1,600 people, has long faced limited job opportunities and weak communications infrastructure.

“There is support for it, provided it brings local employment and real benefits to the community,” Pereira said.

While some residents fear greater militarization could harm tourism, others welcome the economic boost. Analysts note that the location offers unique advantages for both commercial and strategic uses, sitting at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Europe’s Defence Push Inspires Young Innovators at Amsterdam Hackathon

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A hackathon held over the weekend in Amsterdam gathered more than 100 young programmers and engineers, aiming to create fast, affordable battlefield technologies to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. As Europe ramps up military spending in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warnings about pulling back NATO commitments, young tech talent is increasingly looking toward defence careers.

Participants of the hackathon, organised by the European Defense Tech Hub (EDTH) and Ukraine’s Brave1 defence accelerator, explored innovations ranging from drones and anti-drone tech to squad radar systems and seismic wave detection for enemy movement. While some attendees arrived with startup ambitions, others were there to network or show solidarity with Ukraine.

Among them was Emil Knutsson, a 24-year-old Swede, who noted a broader generational shift. “Even before the Russian invasion, I was interested in defence. But now, many of my peers are thinking the same way,” he said.

Interest in the event was further fuelled by recent geopolitical developments. According to Benjamin Wolba of EDTH, events like the Munich Security Conference and Trump’s more conciliatory tone toward Russia have created a renewed sense of urgency across Europe to invest in its own security infrastructure.

The hackathon also highlighted how defence innovation is no longer limited to governments or legacy contractors. Attendee Andreas Michaelides, whose team developed a seismic sensor system, said, “Every single one of us can get into this now,” pointing to the democratization of military tech development, especially in software and drone warfare.

Investor interest is also growing. Judge Bram Oostvogel of NUNC Capital, which recently announced a €20 million fund for early-stage defence startups, sees Ukraine as a real-world testing ground for ideas that could plug security gaps across Europe.

“First, you take care of security and safety – not Facebook likes,” Oostvogel said, emphasizing the shift in focus among both investors and innovators as the continent faces rising geopolitical threats.

With more hackathons planned across Europe this year, EDTH sees this as just the beginning of a new wave of grassroots defence innovation.

Founders Fund in Talks to Back Anduril Industries at $28 Billion Valuation

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AI-powered defense startup Anduril Industries is negotiating a new funding round that could elevate the company’s valuation to $28 billion, sources revealed on Friday. Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund is expected to lead this funding round, which could raise as much as $2.5 billion. This follows Anduril’s last funding round in August, where the company raised $1.5 billion at a $14 billion valuation.

Founders Fund has supported Anduril since its inception in 2017, and one of Anduril’s co-founders, Trae Stephens, is a partner at the firm. Despite the significant backing, Founders Fund declined to comment on the details of the latest round, which was first reported by CNBC.

Based in Costa Mesa, California, Anduril develops autonomous weapons and sensors, including drones, for military applications. The company has also announced plans to build a large-scale weapons manufacturing facility in Ohio to enhance its production capabilities. Additionally, Anduril launched the Lattice for Mission Autonomy in 2023, an AI-driven software for coordinating autonomous systems in human-supervised missions.

Anduril’s founder, Palmer Luckey, is well-known for creating Oculus VR, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $2.3 billion. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who previously worked as a venture capitalist, has invested in Anduril and holds stakes in the company. Thiel, a long-time Republican donor and co-founder of Palantir Technologies, has backed multiple conservative political figures, including President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Vance’s 2022 Senate bid.