Mistral lands French military deal as France boosts homegrown AI

France's Ministry of the Armed Forces has notified a framework agreement with Mistral, giving the armed forces and related public institutions access to the startup's AI models, software and services on French-controlled infrastructure. The ministry said the partnership aims to strengthen France's technological sovereignty.

Mistral, a French AI startup founded in 2023 and valued at roughly $13.6 billion, has been formally awarded a framework agreement by France's Ministry of the Armed Forces to provide AI models, software and services. The ministry said the systems will run on French-controlled infrastructure and be fine-tuned with defense-specific data for operational needs. The deal is overseen by the ministry's defense AI agency and is presented as part of efforts to ensure control over critical technologies. Officials framed the move as strengthening technological sovereignty. Key details: - France's Ministry of the Armed Forces formally notified a framework agreement with Mistral AI covering the armed forces, defense agencies, and affiliated public institutions. - The agreement provides access to Mistral's advanced AI models, software and services to be deployed on French-controlled infrastructure. - Mistral said its systems would be fine-tuned using defense-specific data to support operational military needs, in a LinkedIn post reported by the article. - The defense AI agency will oversee deployments, the ministry said. - Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed; Mistral was founded in 2023 and is valued at roughly $13.6 billion after a 1.7 billion euro funding round announced last year. - The ministry described the partnership as intended to strengthen technological sovereignty, and Bertrand Rondepierre of the defense AI agency called it "a major step" for generative AI capabilities. Summary: The agreement aligns with broader European efforts to develop domestic AI options and reduce reliance on foreign providers in strategic sectors. Undetermined at this time.