Google is planning a powerful AI data centre on Australia’s remote Christmas Island, located 350 km south of Indonesia, following a cloud deal with the Australian Department of Defence earlier this year NDTV Yahoo The Economic Times.
The project, previously undisclosed, positions advanced AI infrastructure on a tiny island increasingly seen as a strategic asset for monitoring Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean. Google is reportedly in advanced talks to lease land near the island’s airport and has engaged with a local mining company to secure energy needs for the facility Yahoo.
While the exact size, cost, and operational scope of the data centre remain confidential, military experts suggest it could support AI-driven command systems and enhance surveillance capabilities. The move aligns with broader U.S. and allied efforts to bolster digital infrastructure in geopolitically sensitive regions.
Local officials have expressed cautious optimism, citing potential economic benefits but also raising concerns about the island’s growing militarization. Christmas Island, known for its unique biodiversity and annual red crab migration, may soon become a hub for cutting-edge AI operations.
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