The UK is preparing to intensify its cyber capabilities in response to escalating digital threats from Russia. Defence Secretary John Healey announced plans to establish a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, overseeing a £1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing offensive cyber operations. This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster the UK’s digital warfare capabilities and counteract increasing cyberattacks from state actors.
The new command will integrate artificial intelligence systems, referred to as a “death net,” to facilitate real-time coordination among military forces. Healey emphasized the importance of cyber readiness, stating that “the keyboard has become a weapon of war.” The UK Ministry of Defence reported 90,000 cyber incidents in the past year, double the number from the previous year, with many attributed to hostile states like Russia and China.
This initiative underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening its cyber defense infrastructure and its readiness to engage in offensive cyber operations to safeguard national security interests.
