The Defence Investment Plan places digital infrastructure at the centre of Britain’s effort to increase military readiness and firepower. London drew on lessons from Ukraine, where rapid data processing and reliable battlefield connectivity have become central to high-intensity operations.
The Digital Backbone will replace fragmented services and networks with a common enterprise platform spanning the armed forces. The plan identifies £420 million for improvements to the connectivity and infrastructure underpinning the wider targeting architecture.
A further £740 million will connect sensors, decision-makers and weapons through the Digital Targeting Web. The system is designed to give commanders greater speed and flexibility when selecting how to engage targets across multiple military domains.
The Defence-wide Secret Cloud will provide the secure foundation for the targeting network. A minimum viable product is scheduled to become available later in 2026, giving the programme its first defined delivery milestone.
The cloud will support classified information from British and allied sources across fixed and deployable locations. The wider architecture will also include imagery exploitation, field-deployable geospatial analysis and more resilient position, navigation and timing services.
Artificial intelligence will help process information and support operational decisions, while a common synthetic environment will connect different elements of the force. Quantum technologies are also expected to support the Digital Backbone and Targeting Web.
The Ministry of Defence is establishing a Digital Warfighter group to operate alongside conventional military personnel. Its specialists will use sensors, space-based systems, AI-enabled applications and drones to analyse battlefield data, predict threats and improve planning.
Britain plans to invest at least £17 billion in the Digital Backbone and Targeting Web between 2030 and 2035. The later funding will bring the network towards full operating capability and integrate autonomous systems across the wider force.
Future upgrades will also strengthen cyber protection through AI and quantum technologies. The government said parts of the infrastructure may support other departments during humanitarian and other non-military operations.
The plan does not identify contractors for the Secret Cloud or provide a detailed schedule for the wider network. It also states that the spending figures are indicative and remain subject to approval, affordability and contracting decisions.
