On June 3, 2026, Romania’s government confirmed that the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) selected Digi Communications to develop an AI-powered cybersecurity platform under the European SAFE program, despite initial ambiguity about the decision’s origin. The 196-million-euro contract, announced by the government, was detailed in multiple sources, with officials clarifying that the SRI, not the government, led the procurement process. This revelation followed pressure from media outlets like HotNews, which prompted the government to acknowledge the SRI’s role in the selection.
SRI’s Role in Digi’s Selection
Mihai Jurca, the coordinator of the SAFE program and a senior official in the interim government of Ilie Bolojan, explicitly stated that the SRI was the entity responsible for choosing Digi Communications. “The SRI proposed the platform,” Jurca told HotNews, emphasizing that the SRI’s decision prioritized keeping funds within Romania. This aligns with the government’s broader strategy to localize technological investments, as Jurca noted that Digi, as the country’s largest telecom provider, “has the most extensive and complex infrastructure in Romania.”
The SRI’s involvement underscores the project’s dual-use nature, combining civilian and military applications. According to Ziarul Bursa, the platform will focus on cybersecurity, leveraging large language models (LLMs) to enhance national defense. The SRI’s direct oversight of the procurement process contrasts with the government’s initial vague statements, which only mentioned “states” as the contracting parties.
The SAFE Program’s Financial Framework
The 196-million-euro contract is part of Romania’s 16.68-billion-euro allocation under the European SAFE program, designed to bolster defense and critical infrastructure. Ziarul Bursa reported that 4.2 billion euros will fund dual-use infrastructure, including highway expansions, while 12.48 billion euros will support military acquisitions. Digi’s contract joins other major deals, such as the 5.7-billion-euro order for German defense firm Rheinmetall, which will supply weapons and naval vessels.
The project’s implementation will occur over four years, with Digi tasked to develop a “comprehensive LLM platform” for cybersecurity. Digi24 noted that the platform will be built entirely within Romania, a condition emphasized by officials to ensure economic benefits. Additionally, Digi signed a separate 110-million-euro contract with Logic Computer for mobile data centers and cybersecurity systems.
Implications for Romania’s Tech Sector
The SRI’s choice of Digi highlights the agency’s growing influence in shaping national technology policy. While Romania has other tech giants like Bitdefender and UiPath, Digi’s dominance in telecom infrastructure made it a strategic partner for the SRI. Agerpres reported that the agreement includes both hardware and software components, with the SRI overseeing the project’s alignment with national security objectives.
Analysts suggest the move could accelerate Romania’s AI capabilities but raises questions about transparency. The SRI’s opaque decision-making process, coupled with the project’s dual-use classification, has sparked concerns about accountability.
