Britain is establishing a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to lead its digital warfare strategies, focusing on offensive hacking and enhancements through artificial intelligence.

This initiative comes in response to a dramatic increase in cyber attacks, with the UK Ministry of Defence reporting 90,000 incidents over the past two years, a figure that has doubled since 2023.

Hostile states, particularly Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, have been identified as major sources of cyber aggression, contributing to an increasingly dangerous threat landscape.

Defence Secretary John Healey has emphasized the necessity of offensive cyber operations, declaring that 'the keyboard has become a weapon of war' and highlighting the military's need to adapt to the evolving online battlefield.

The new Cyber Command will streamline operations and bolster both defensive and offensive cyber capabilities, particularly aimed at countering threats from Russia and China.

To enhance its cyber defenses, the Ministry of Defence plans to attract top digital talent and establish a central hub for cyber capabilities.

As part of this effort, the British military is set to invest over £1 billion in artificial intelligence and a new hacking attack team specifically targeting hostile nations.

The National Cyber Force, a collaboration between GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence, will work alongside the new command to execute powerful online operations and protect critical infrastructure.

This new command will also oversee the investment aimed at enhancing military cyber capabilities, including the integration of an AI-driven 'kill web' to connect military systems.

Additionally, the command will improve the UK's electromagnetic warfare capabilities, enabling the disruption of enemy communications and jamming of signals.

Healey has noted the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of connectivity and innovation in modern warfare.

The establishment of this command is part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review, which seeks to set new standards and enhance the UK's defense against cyber threats.