# Pentagon stops using Anthropic tools, but sources say Claude was used last week

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-05T16:13:21Z · updated 2026-10-05T16:30:01Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/pentagon-stops-using-anthropic-ai-tools

## Summary

The US Department of Defence has confirmed it has ceased using Anthropic's AI tools, an official told the BBC. This decision follows Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's February designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk on national security grounds. Hegseth had set a deadline for the Pentagon to stop using the company's products by late August.

However, multiple sources, including former defence officials and contractors, told the BBC that Anthropic's Claude model was still in use as recently as last week. The model was embedded in the Maven Smart System, a data platform operated by Palantir, and was used for research, intelligence gathering, and military operations against Iran. Sources described Claude as a critical tool for processing vast amounts of information, such as satellite imagery and drone footage.

The Pentagon's statement came after the BBC inquired about ongoing use, despite the earlier phase-out order. The delay in removal highlights the difficulty of extracting deeply integrated AI systems from military infrastructure. Meanwhile, Anthropic's relationship with the White House appears to be improving, with CEO Dario Amodei meeting President Trump twice last week.

## Key points

- Pentagon official confirmed the department has ceased using Anthropic products.
- Sources say Claude was used in military operations against Iran as recently as last week.
- Claude was embedded in Palantir's Maven Smart System for intelligence analysis.

## Why it matters

This reveals the complexity of removing integrated AI from critical military infrastructure and highlights the tension between national security regulations and the practical reliance on specific AI models for intelligence operations.

## Sources

1. [An official says the DOD has stopped using Anthropic's tools; sources: Claude was in use as recently as last week, including in military operations against Iran](https://bbc.com/news/articles/c5j9x9pr0240o) (bbc.com, 2026-10-05)
2. [Pentagon stops using Anthropic AI tools months after blacklisting company, BBC told](https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5j9x9pr0240o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) (BBC Technology, 2026-10-05)

Part of the developing story: [Pentagon Anthropic AI Dispute Saga](https://digestai.news/thread/anthropic-warns-pentagon-dispute-could-cost-billions) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Pentagon stops using Anthropic tools, but sources say Claude was used last week", 5 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/pentagon-stops-using-anthropic-ai-tools

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