UK Defence Secretary Plans £1 Billion Cyber Command Against Russia, China

The UK government plans to invest over £1 billion to establish a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command aimed at enhancing offensive and defensive cyber capabilities against hostile states such as Russia and China. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that "the keyboard has become a weapon of war," highlighting the increasing intensity and frequency of cyberattacks, with around 90,000 state-linked attacks targeting the UK in the past two years. This command will oversee a cutting-edge AI-powered "digital targeting web" or "kill web," which will connect military systems in real time to enable faster battlefield decisions and coordinated cyber and electromagnetic operations. The National Cyber Force, already conducting offensive cyber operations, will now coordinate with the new command to streamline efforts against cyber threats. Healey stated that the strategic defence review will set new standards in cyber warfare, underscoring the need for the UK to innovate and remain better connected to prevail in future conflicts. This marks the first explicit public acknowledgment by UK officials of offensive cyber operations against adversaries, reflecting a significant shift in Britain's military cyber strategy.