UK to Deliver Pioneering Battlefield System and Bolster Cyber Warfare Capabilities Under Strategic Defence Review

The UK government has announced a £1 billion investment to enhance its military capabilities as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

This includes the development of a “Digital Targeting Web,” a pioneering battlefield system, and the establishment of a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command.

The initiatives aim to strengthen national security and support economic stability by improving the speed and integration of battlefield decisions. The Digital Targeting Web is a new system designed to connect UK Armed Forces’ weapons systems, enabling faster decision-making and execution of battlefield operations.

It integrates advanced technologies like AI, sensors, and space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to identify and neutralize threats quickly. For example, a threat detected by a sensor on a ship or in space could be disabled by an F-35 aircraft, drone, or cyber operation. The system is expected to be operational by 2027.

The new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will lead defensive and offensive cyber operations, leveraging electromagnetic warfare skills to degrade enemy communications, jam signals, and intercept adversarial communications. This move responds to over 90,000 cyber-attacks on UK military systems in the past two years, driven by lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the need for rapid innovation in modern warfare.

The SDR, set to be published on Monday, aligns with the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

Digital Targeting Web

The Digital Targeting Web is an advanced, AI-driven battlefield system designed to enhance the UK Armed Forces’ ability to detect, track, and eliminate threats with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

Often referred to colloquially as a “kill web,” it integrates multiple domains—land, sea, air, space, and cyber—into a cohesive network to streamline the decision-making process in high-tempo warfare scenarios. Here’s a deeper look at its key components and functionality:

The Digital Targeting Web aims to create a highly connected and responsive military ecosystem. It links sensors (e.g., on ships, satellites, or drones), weapons systems (e.g., F-35 aircraft, drones), and command-and-control structures to enable rapid “kill-chain execution”—the process of identifying, targeting, and neutralizing threats. This reduces the time from detection to action, giving the UK a decisive advantage in fast-paced conflicts.

Technological Components:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data from sensors to identify and prioritize threats in real time, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.
• Advanced Sensors: These include radar, infrared, and other detection systems deployed on platforms like ships, aircraft, or satellites, capable of identifying threats across multiple domains.
• Space-Based ISR: Satellites provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data, offering a broader perspective of the battlefield, such as tracking enemy movements or detecting missile launches.
• Cyber Capabilities: The system integrates offensive cyber operations, such as disrupting enemy communications or disabling adversarial systems, as an alternative to kinetic strikes.

The Digital Targeting Web would process this data, coordinate with command systems, and direct an F-35 jet or a cyber operation to neutralize the threat, all in a matter of seconds or minutes. This seamless integration across domains ensures rapid response times, critical in modern warfare where threats like hypersonic missiles or cyberattacks can emerge quickly.

The system addresses the evolving nature of warfare, where adversaries like Russia and China employ advanced cyber and electromagnetic tactics. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the Digital Targeting Web aims to make the UK the fastest-innovating military within NATO, ensuring it can outpace adversaries in both defensive and offensive operations. It also supports economic goals by creating skilled jobs and fostering innovation, aligning with the government’s broader “Plan for Change.”

The UK Ministry of Defence plans to have the Digital Targeting Web operational by 2027, backed by over £1 billion in funding. This investment reflects lessons learned from conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the need for better-connected and more agile forces to counter daily cyber threats and prepare for future conflicts.

In essence, the Digital Targeting Web represents a shift toward a more integrated, technology-driven approach to warfare, combining AI, cyber, and traditional military assets to maintain a strategic edge in an increasingly complex global security environment.