(Commonwealth_Europe) The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled a major advancement in military technology with the introduction of a new Digital Targeting Web—an integrated system designed to revolutionize how British forces detect, assess, and neutralize threats on the battlefield. By harnessing intelligence from satellites, manned aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems, this network will deliver real-time situational awareness to soldiers on the ground, significantly reducing the time required to identify and engage hostile targets.
This technological upgrade is part of a broader strategic defense review initiated by the Labour government shortly after it assumed power in 2024. Defense Secretary John Healey announced the initiative during a high-profile visit to the MoD’s cyber headquarters in Corsham, Wiltshire. He highlighted that the new system draws directly on combat lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where AI and data-driven systems have proven instrumental in enabling faster and more precise strikes against Russian forces.
Healey emphasized that the UK must adapt rapidly to the evolving nature of modern warfare. “This is about ensuring our forces are connected, informed, and empowered to act faster than our adversaries,” he said. “We’ve seen in Ukraine how artificial intelligence and automation are not just tools—they are force multipliers.”
The Digital Targeting Web, underpinned by AI algorithms and advanced software, aims to reduce the traditional ‘sensor-to-shooter’ timeline—the time it takes from detecting a target to taking action against it. It represents a significant shift in operational doctrine, with machines increasingly assisting human decision-making on the battlefield.
The strategic defense review, which Healey described as “the first of its kind,” will guide the UK’s military modernization efforts for years to come. While the government has committed to publishing the full findings by mid-2025, an exact release date has yet to be announced.
Corsham, the base where the announcement was made, is home to the UK’s cyber operations command center. The facility plays a central role in managing the country’s cyber defense and offensive operations. According to defense officials, UK forces have endured over 90,000 cyberattacks in the past two years alone. These attacks—originating primarily from hostile state actors including Russia and China—are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and more targeted.
Cybersecurity teams at Corsham recently intercepted a malware campaign aimed at UK personnel returning from overseas deployments. The attack, attributed to a well-known Russian threat group, underscores the persistent and evolving digital threats facing military infrastructure and personnel. In response, the UK has strengthened its defensive capabilities and ramped up its capacity for offensive cyber operations.
Healey underscored the growing strategic significance of cyberspace as a domain of warfare. “The keyboard is now a weapon of war,” he declared. “From cyber defense to electronic warfare, we must stay ahead of those who seek to do us harm.”
In alignment with these goals, the MoD will establish a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command. This command structure will unify and coordinate cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, including intercepting enemy communications and disabling hostile drones through electronic jamming. The command will also be tasked with overseeing the integration of new technologies across all branches of the armed forces.
The push for technological superiority is being supported by an increase in defense spending. Healey confirmed the government’s “historic commitment” to raise the defense budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, a move intended to solidify the UK’s role as a leading military power within NATO. However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged member states to go even further, recommending a collective target of more than 3.5% of GDP in light of rising global threats.
This review and the capabilities it will enable reflect a broader shift in defense strategy—one that prioritizes speed, agility, and digital dominance in a rapidly changing security landscape. As hybrid threats intensify and the line between physical and digital warfare continues to blur, the UK’s investment in AI-driven targeting, cyber warfare, and electronic defense signals a clear intent: to remain at the forefront of military innovation and to deter aggression through technological superiority.
