With modern wars no longer fought only on battlefields, the UK has just announced a £1 billion investment in AI, designed to supercharge their ability to engage in digital combat.
The announcement by the UK Ministry of Defence marks a new era for UK cybersecurity and will include a Digital Targeting Web and a newly established Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to help the Armed Forces combat cyber treats faster (and better!) than ever before.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP commented that “The keyboard is now a weapon of war…We are under daily attack, and this new command will allow us to defend and strike back more effectively.”
What Is the Digital Targeting Web?
A big part of the new defence plan is a system called the Digital Targeting Web. This will be designed to better connect all of the UK’s military tools, like satellites, aircraft and drones.
Through this, threats will be able to be detected faster, allowing soldiers, cyber units or fighter units to respond quicker.
For example, if a threat is spotted by a satellite, the Digital Targeting Web can instantly alert a cyber or nearby naval, aircraft or fighter team, allowing them to stop it faster than before.
The system has been developed in response to lessons from the Ukraine War, where soldiers are already using tech and AI to identify and hit Russian targets faster.
The Ministry of Defence says this new system will be fully operational by 2027.
“We will give our Armed Forces the ability to act at speeds never seen before,” said John Healey, “connecting ships, aircraft, tanks and operators so they can share vital information instantly and strike further and faster.”
What About The Cyber and Electromagnetic Command?
Running alongside the Digital Targeting Web is the new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, led by General Sir James Hockenhull.
The unit will act as a troop of cyber-soldiers, focusing specifically on defensive and offensive cyber operations, working alongside the current National Cyber Force (NCF).
The Ministry of Defence commented that this unit would be in charge of electromagnetic warfare, with the ability to jam drones and missiles, intercept communications and attack enemy control systems from afar.
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Why Now?
Modern wars are no longer only fought on the battlefield. In fact, the UK’s military has been hit with more than 90,000 cyber attacks in the past 2 years, mostly from countries like Russia and China.
These attacks have not only tried to affect larger military systems, but also smaller devices with malware.
In recent months, UK businesses like M&S, Harrods and Co-op have all announced their own cyberattacks, putting civilian data at risk. With crime online on the rise and both countries and businesses at risk, deploying this new unit is surely a step in the right direction.
Learning From Ukraine
A huge reason why the announcement is coming now is because of lessons learned and observed during the Ukraine war.
Russia have used cyberattacks as a core part of their strategy. Most recently, 5 Russian military officers were charged with the WhisperGate malware attack, which specifically targeted civilian infrastructure in Ukraine that was not related to the war.
In response, Ukrainian hackers fought back by shutting down Russian websites and targeting the train routes used by the army.
The UK is watching closely to understand how we can be better protected against future online threats.
Is This Just An Invite For Trouble?
For some, this announcement isn’t just a proactive measure, it’s an invite for more cyberthreats to make their way to UK shores.
Graeme Stewart, head of public sector at Check Point Software, said, “The MoD’s public commitment to AI and autonomous systems on the battlefield is a huge strategic step, but it comes with a glaring, inevitable side effect: cyber-attacks on UK infrastructure will escalate. Rapidly. Relentlessly.
“This is a clear signal to adversaries. And if Ukraine has taught us anything, it’s that cyber warfare doesn’t just accompany kinetic conflict, it often leads it. We’re entering a new era where “keyboard warfare” isn’t theoretical – it’s already happening. The challenge now isn’t just innovation, it’s fortification – across people, process, and technology. Because from here on out, every advancement will bring an even louder knock at the cyber door. The big one is certainly on its way – stock up on soup.”
A Call For Digital Talent
To support these new ideas, the military has announced a hiring programme called the Cyber Direct Entry Programme. Through this, it plans to hire tech-savvy cyber-soldiers to secure the UK’s digital front lines.
It offers:
- Salaries starting at £40,000
- Up to £25,000 extra for specialised skills
- No need to fight on the front line
- Full military benefits, including health care, training, and more
The idea is to attract the best digital minds in the UK, especially those that are skilled in coding, cybersecurity and AI.
Digital Warfare: Preparing For The Inevitable
Modern wars are definitely changing. Missiles, tanks and soldiers are still important – but now, so is AI, cybersecurity and code.
This new investment shows just how seriously the UK is taking these threats, leaning on lessons from wars fought elsewhere. And with £1 billion behind it, we will be watching closely to see how the UK plans to secure its digital borders.
