The UK government is preparing to spend a massive £1 billion on creating a new digital army made up of highly skilled hackers. This group will be designed to protect the country from cyber attacks and to strike back against enemies like Russia.
Britain’s Huge Investment in Cyber Warfare
Defence Secretary John Healey announced that the plan is to build a powerful “cyber command” that can defend the nation’s digital borders and take action online against hostile forces.
This cyber command will be part of the British military, but instead of fighting on traditional battlefields, they will work in the digital world. Healey pointed out that cyber warfare is becoming more intense and constant, with attacks happening every day. Over the past two years alone, nearly 90,000 cyber attacks linked to foreign governments targeted the UK’s defence systems. This shows how important it is to have a strong defense against these invisible threats.
The new cyber army will not just focus on defense but also offensive operations. This means they could launch attacks to stop enemies before they can cause harm. The aim is to give Britain the power to act quickly and efficiently in the digital space, where wars are increasingly being fought.
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A Network Connecting Weapons and Sensors
As part of this massive investment, the UK plans to build something called a “digital targeting web.” This will be ready by 2027 and will connect different weapons and sensors across the battlefield. Imagine it like a giant digital network where information flows instantly between ships, aircraft, drones, and even satellites in space.
For example, if a sensor on a ship detects a threat, this network will quickly share the information with other forces, such as fighter jets or drones. These forces can then respond immediately, either by disabling the threat directly or by using cyber attacks to stop it. This kind of fast decision-making could change the way battles are fought, making responses much quicker and more accurate.
The Ministry of Defence explained that this network could allow a fighter jet like the F-35, or a drone, to act on information from sensors far away, even in space. This means the UK’s military will have a better chance to stay ahead of enemies and protect the country from attacks that happen in seconds.
Fighting Cyber and Electromagnetic Battles
The new cyber command won’t just fight online hackers. It will also be responsible for something called electromagnetic warfare. This involves disrupting the enemy’s ability to use technology by jamming signals or intercepting communications.
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For example, the command could block signals sent to drones or missiles, making it harder for the enemy to control their weapons. It can also interfere with enemy communications, so they can’t easily share information or plan attacks.
The cyber and electromagnetic command will be led by General Sir Jim Hockenhull. This command will work alongside the National Cyber Force, which has already been involved in secret hacking operations for the military over the past five years. Now, the two groups will coordinate their efforts to both defend the UK and launch attacks against enemies.
While the details of the UK’s offensive cyber powers are kept secret, other countries have shown what can be done. Cyber attacks can spy on officials, steal important information, or even cause machines and factories to stop working. Countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are known to use hackers for spying and attacks.
John Healey stressed that cyber warfare is no longer something minor or occasional. It is now one of the main ways countries compete and fight each other. He said, “the keyboard has become a weapon of war,” and Britain is preparing to defend itself with an army of digital warriors ready to face this new kind of battle.
