A snippet from...

A snippet from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-20/defence-data-contract-kmpg-weak-indefensible-review-finds/103247476

"ICT2284 requires a data platform be built for both the "Protected" and "Secret" Defence computing networks. KPMG's successful bid was predicated on Microsoft providing its Secret-level cloud platform. Within weeks of signing its contract, however, KPMG revealed to Defence that Microsoft had pulled out, shocking project insiders."

"The Microsoft decision was linked to a global move by the company to dramatically scale back its work for foreign governments. It also walked away from negotiations with the Commonwealth's Office of National Intelligence for a separate, Top-Secret level cloud that was to host Australia's intelligence agency data. Despite this seismic event, and the fact that its chosen contractor's technology was now bereft of its most critical component, Defence chose to retain KPMG as its systems integrator. As a result, "the requirements and associated costs of delivering a solution for the SECRET platform are not yet defined or known", the review found.The ABC understands that local secure cloud company Vault Cloud is providing what's been described as an "interim solution"."

This all sounds really bizarre to me. Microsoft is scaling back work for foreign governments, but they just announced a $5B investment in Australia's cloud computing capabilities. In terms of Microsoft pulling out of One Defence what does this exactly mean for AR9. How involved is Archtis and will this bring likely delays to the company's operation? So many questions.