OpenAI has secured unclassified defense contracts worth up to $200 million, with larger awards possible if its Pentagon work expands.

That work includes making ChatGPT available through the military’s GenAI.mil platform, which is intended to serve up to 3 million users, and deploying OpenAI models in classified environments under a February 27, 2026, Department of Defense agreement.

The classified deployment agreement reportedly prohibits mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.

On November 2, 2026, OpenAI announced that Mark Esper, the former US Secretary of Defense, would advise on its military AI initiatives.

The company removed its policy prohibitions on military and warfare uses in 2024, paving the way for its subsequent defense partnerships and contracts.

As OpenAI’s government work grows, its stated restrictions could face pressure, and their durability will depend on enforcement and transparency.