STORY
The UK Government today committed more than £1 billion to develop a groundbreaking battlefield system, the Digital Targeting Web, and announced the creation of a dedicated Cyber and Electromagnetic Command as part of its Strategic Defence Review. Defence Secretary John Healey made the announcements during a visit to MoD Corsham, the military’s cyber headquarters, underlining a shift towards faster, more integrated warfare capabilities. The Digital Targeting Web will link sensors, platforms and weapons systems across sea, air, land and space, enabling threats to be identified by one asset—such as a naval radar or satellite—and neutralised by another, including F-35 jets, drones or offensive cyber operations. Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s early-war successes, the new network aims to minimise decision-to-strike times and provide the UK with a decisive edge on the modern battlefield.
In tandem, the Ministry of Defence will establish a Cyber and Electromagnetic Command under General Sir James Hockenhull. Tasked with leading defensive cyber operations and coordinating offensive cyber capabilities alongside the National Cyber Force, the Command will also centralise expertise in electromagnetic warfare—covering activities such as jamming hostile drones or intercepting communications. The investment follows the Prime Minister’s pledge to raise defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP and comes against a backdrop of more than 90,000 cyber-attack attempts on UK military networks in the past two years. Mr Healey emphasised that future conflicts will be won by forces “better connected, better equipped and innovating faster than their adversaries” stressing the importance of attracting top digital talent to bolster Britain’s national security.
To support this ambition, the MOD has already fast-tracked recruits into specialist cyber roles via the Cyber Direct Entry programme, which offers tailored training, placement in operational units by the end of 2025 and starting salaries above £40,000. The new Command will provide a clear career pathway for military cyber specialists and ensure the UK remains competitive in the rapidly evolving digital battlespace.