Palantir has a message for Europe on technology dependence. Louis Mosley, the head of Palantir Technologies’ UK and Europe operations, has argued that European countries will have to accept some reliance on US technology, at least in the short term, even as governments explore alternatives to American software providers. He also pointed to Europe’s dependence on China for industrial components, particularly magnets required to manufacture drones.Speaking to Bloomberg News in Brussels, Mosley argued that Europe’s dependence on China for industrial supplies also deserves greater attention, particularly as countries seek to strengthen their defence capabilities and expand drone production. “You can’t manufacture drones without magnets. Magnets come from China,” he said. “You have chokepoints in the hardware realm that don’t get discussed nearly as much as the choke points in the software realm.”Mosley added that European countries would have to recognise the limits of their efforts to become technologically self-sufficient. He said, “Europe is going to have to accept some dependency on the US, at least for the short term.”His comments come at a time when European governments are seeking more technological independence from strained relations across the Atlantic and growing fears about access to sensitive data. A handful of countries have reviewed their contracts with Palantir, but practical needs, especially in defence, make it hard for Europe to do away with foreign technology providers entirely, Mosley said.
Why Palantir matters to European defence
Palantir provides customised data analysis software to governments and organisations, including civilian agencies, intelligence services, police forces and militaries. The company, valued at more than $480 billion, has expanded its role in defence technology through products that use artificial intelligence to analyse information and support military operations.In 2025, NATO’s military branch agreed with Palantir to deploy its Maven Smart System, which uses AI for surveillance and targeting.Mosley described the system as “a massive enabler of lots of European defence and European technology, which, without being connected to Maven, is less valuable to Europe,” arguing that further cooperation on data sharing and integration could benefit NATO members.The system illustrates the role that American technology companies play in European defence infrastructure, even as governments discuss reducing their reliance on foreign suppliers.
European countries reconsidering ties with Palantir
Palantir’s position in Europe has faced challenges since Donald Trump‘s return to the US presidency last year strained transatlantic relations and increased scrutiny of American technology companies.Chief Executive Officer Alex Karp has cultivated close ties with the Trump administration and promoted a strong pro-American position. This has contributed to concerns among some European leaders about relying on US companies for sensitive government operations.In June, France announced that its domestic intelligence agency would end its Palantir contract in favour of a local provider. British lawmakers have also criticised the company’s work with the UK’s health system.These developments have created opportunities for European technology companies seeking to replace American providers. Mosley, however, said competition should be judged on practical performance rather than political preference.“The more competition there is, the sharper the evaluation of what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “What we need is competition that happens in reality between two products that are using real data on a real problem.”
EU technology sovereignty plans face practical challenges
The European Union is also working on regulations intended to reduce its reliance on foreign technology providers. The European Commission is advancing a technology sovereignty package that includes the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act.The legislation is being negotiated and could restrict access to sensitive government data to cloud and software providers under full EU control. The broader objective is to make it technically impossible for foreign powers, including the US, to access certain sensitive information.Mosley acknowledged that some larger Western European countries had become less receptive to Palantir’s products, but said the company’s engagement remained strong in other markets, including Ukraine.“The further East you go, the more engaged the customers are and the more serious they are about standing up their Palantir capabilities,” he said.Referring to Ukraine’s experience over the past four years, Mosley added: “If you were to talk to the Ukrainians, all the experience I’ve had there for the last four or five years is you need stuff that works, and you need it because if you don’t, you’re dead. And the questions around sovereignty are secondary.”
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