Defense Secretary John Healey stated that London will be escalating its cyber warfare efforts as part of a newly formed military command.
The UK will significantly increase its offensive cyber operations targeting Russia and China, according to an announcement by UK Defense Secretary John Healey on Thursday. This announcement followed the launch of the country’s new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command.
In a statement quoted by The Times, Healey stated that “the keyboard is now a weapon of war.” He added that the new cyber command would manage both defensive and offensive operations, including hacking into enemy systems to disrupt attacks and the spread of propaganda.
When asked if this included Russia and China, Healey confirmed with a “Yes.”
Healey’s statement is the first explicit confirmation from a British minister regarding cyberattacks against other nations. While UK ministers had previously acknowledged cyber operations against non-state actors like Islamic State, they had not previously confirmed attacks against other countries.
The defense secretary also mentioned that the UK government has allocated over £1 billion ($1.35 billion) for a “digital targeting web.” This web aims to facilitate real-time battlefield intelligence-sharing between troops, spy planes, and satellites.
Healey’s comments precede the release of a strategic defense review scheduled for Monday. The Times reports that the review will emphasize that cyberattacks on Britain, allegedly perpetrated by Russia and China, are “threatening the foundations of the economy and daily life.”
Both Moscow and Beijing have consistently denied accusations of conducting cyberattacks against Western nations, dismissing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.
In recent months, Russian officials have also repeatedly expressed concern over what they perceive as Western Europe’s ongoing militarization and aggressive anti-Russian rhetoric, which they claim is a response to the alleged threat posed by Moscow.
The Kremlin has firmly denied any hostile intentions towards Western countries. It has also accused European politicians of “irresponsibly stoking fears” to justify increased military spending, which Moscow has described as an “incitement of war on the European continent.”
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