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The UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) has announced a massive investment of more than $1.35 billion (£1B) in a state-of-the-art battlefield system dubbed the “Digital Targeting Web”.

Alongside this, a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will be created to bolster Britain’s cyber warfare capabilities, reflecting the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and a growing global threat environment.

Britain’s Defense Secretary John Healey announced during a visit to the UK military’s headquarters in Corsham. The move is being termed as a key pillar in the Government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at strengthening national security, modernizing military operations, and creating skilled job opportunities.

Digital era in warfare

At the heart of this initiative is the Digital Targeting Web, a sophisticated network designed to link the UK Armed Forces’ weapons systems, from naval sensors and satellites to fighter jets and cyber units. This will enable real-time data sharing and quicker decision-making on the battlefield, allowing threats to be identified and neutralized with unprecedented speed.

“A threat could be identified by a sensor on a ship or in space before being disabled by an F-35 aircraft, drone, or offensive cyber operation,” explained the Ministry of Defense, highlighting the integration of multiple platforms and domains.

The system is expected to be fully operational by 2027, transforming how British forces engage enemies and respond to threats in dynamic, high-intensity combat environments. The MOD described this as “a decisive advantage” and said it will allow battlefield decisions to be made and executed faster than ever before.

This digital innovation reflects a direct response to operational insights gathered from Ukraine’s ongoing war. British officials have closely studied how Ukrainian forces managed to halt Russia’s early advances through rapid coordination and precision targeting, a tactic made possible by quick and scalable data exchange and targeting systems.

Cyber command to defend and attack

In parallel, the MOD will establish a Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, a centralized unit responsible for both defensive and offensive cyber operations. The Command will report to General Sir James Hockenhull and integrate with the National Cyber Force, the UK’s primary offensive cyber unit.

This decision comes after the MOD reported more than 90,000 cyberattacks, termed “sub-threshold” threats, over the past two years, a figure that reflects the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber operations targeting military infrastructure.

The new command will also handle electromagnetic warfare, giving UK forces an edge in high-speed electronic conflict scenarios. This includes intercepting enemy communications, jamming drones and missiles, and disrupting adversaries’ command and control networks.

“Ways of warfare are rapidly changing, with the UK facing daily cyber-attacks on this new frontline,” said Defense Secretary John Healey. “We will give our Armed Forces the ability to act at speeds never seen before, connecting ships, aircraft, tanks, and operators so they can share vital information instantly and strike further and faster.”

“The hard-fought lessons from Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine leave us under no illusions that future conflicts will be won through forces that are better connected, better equipped, and innovating faster than their adversaries,” Healey added.

Cyber Direct Entry Program

To build a talent pipeline for its growing cyber and digital operations, the MOD has introduced a Cyber Direct Entry Program, a fast-track recruitment and training initiative aimed at attracting top-tier tech talent into the Armed Forces.

Key features of the program include:

• Starting salaries over $50,800, with up to $31,750 in additional skills pay.
• No requirement to serve in combat roles or handle weapons.
• Operational placements in cyber roles by the end of 2025.
• Access to full military benefits, including healthcare, adventure training, and professional development.

The program focuses on tailored training in critical cyber skills and promises to place recruits directly into operational roles in under two years, an unusually rapid turnaround in military training cycles.

Strengthening NATO

Beyond internal reforms, the UK sees these investments as a contribution to the strength of NATO. With cyberattacks increasingly targeting critical infrastructure, the UK’s enhanced digital defences are expected to serve as a bulwark not only for British interests but also for the broader alliance.

The MOD emphasized that the Digital Targeting Web and Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will be crucial in ensuring that the UK remains a leading force in the global security architecture, both in conventional and cyber domains.

The message is clear: warfare is changing, and Britain intends not only to keep up but to lead.

“By attracting the best digital talent, and establishing a nerve center for our cyber capability, we will harness the latest innovations, properly fund Britain’s defenses for the modern age, and support the government’s Plan for Change,” said Healey.

With delivery targeted for 2027, the UK Armed Forces are poised to become faster, smarter, and more connected than ever before, turning a page in modern warfare and rewriting the rules of engagement for decades to come.