Latest news with #DefenceHQ
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
UK's new £1,000,000,000 cyber command that aims to defeat Putin's hackers
Britain will flush more than £1 billion on artificial intelligence and a cyber team in response to major Russian attacks authorised by Vladimir Putin. From tech and logistics to airports and air traffic control, the UK has been in the firing line since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and more than 90,000 hacks have been detected in the last two years. Attacks have been on the rise and so has their level of sophistication. This is why John Healey declared that the armed forces must be given the upper hand in the growing online battlefield. Speaking on Wednesday from MoD Corsham, the UK's military cyber HQ, the defence secretary confirmed that the Kremlin has 'stepped up' attacks. He said: 'Certainly the intensity of the cyber attacks that we're seeing from Russia stepped up, and cyber is now the leading edge, not just of defence, but of contests and tension between countries.' He said there is a 'level of cyber warfare that is continual and intensifying' that requires the UK to step up its capacity to defend against it. Healey announced that a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will lead this 'digital fightback'. It will also oversee the £1 billion investment in upgraded targeting systems known as 'kill web'. The government has remained tightlipped about it. What we know is that it will operate by using AI and new software. In a new era of threat we're investing in pioneering technology to combat daily cyber part of the Strategic Defence Review @JohnHealey_MP has launched a £1 billion Digital Targeting Web and CyberEM Command to coordinate the UK's defensive and offensive capabilities. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 29, 2025 It will connect military weapons systems across all three forces, enabling quicker decisions to be made on the battlefield. More Trending For example, it could identify a threat using a sensor on a ship or in space and then disable it using an F-35 aircraft, drone, or offensive cyber operation, the ministry of defence said. Healey added: 'Ways of warfare are rapidly changing, with the UK facing daily cyber-attacks on this new frontline. 'The hard-fought lessons from Putin's illegal war in Ukraine leave us under no illusions that future conflicts will be won through forces that are better connected, better equipped and innovating faster than their adversaries. 'We will give our armed forces the ability to act at speeds never seen before – connecting ships, aircraft, tanks and operators so they can share vital information instantly and strike further and faster.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Leader who killed 6,000,000 of his own honoured in new statue MORE: The bizarre reason Russia wants to ban Shrek and other beloved animations MORE: Putin threats to 'throttle' US firms like Microsoft and Zoom in words war with Trump
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
British jets bomb Houthi military target in Yemen
Defence Secretary John Healey said the raid was in response to the Houthi threat to shipping in the Red Sea, which was causing 'regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK'. Overnight, @RoyalAirForce Typhoons conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen to defend freedom of navigation, strengthen regional stability, protect UK economic security, and reduce the Houthis' capacity to launch further attacks. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 29, 2025 The Houthis have targeted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, busy sea lanes on the route from Asia to Europe using the Suez Canal. The attacks have led to vessels being diverted around the southern tip of Africa, adding delays and costs to shipments of goods. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the action was part of a joint operation alongside US forces, who have struck more than 800 Houthi targets since March. It is the first time the RAF has stuck Houthi targets in Yemen since May 2024 under Rishi Sunak's administration. The MoD said 'careful intelligence analysis' identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture drones around fifteen miles south of Sanaa. The strikes were conducted by Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, which used Paveway IV precision-guided bombs. Mr Healey said: 'This Government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security. 'Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base. 'We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping. 'This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation. 'A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK. 'The Government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. 'I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the servicemen and women involved in this operation.' 📸 The 2025 Carrier Strike Group at sea, led by HMS Prince of Wales 🇬🇧 An 8-month, 4,500-strong task group—supported by @NATO & allies—has entered the Med and will sail to the Western Pacific, reaffirming the UK's commitment to Med & Indo-Pacific security, trade & industry. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 29, 2025 The strikes come ahead of the expected passage of the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales through the Red Sea. The aircraft carrier and its escorts are conducting exercises in the Mediterranean before heading to the Indo-Pacific later this year. In a sign that even highly-sophisticated warships are at risk in the Red Sea, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman lost one of its F/A-18 jets earlier this month when it fell overboard, reportedly as the vessel executed a sharp turn to avoid a Houthi attack. The Houthis claim their actions are in response to Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza, an assertion dismissed by the UK and allies.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
British jets bomb Houthi military target in Yemen
Royal Air Force jets attacked a drone manufacturing facility used by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. The attack on Tuesday night was the first such raid by British warplanes since Labour took office and comes after US President Donald Trump ordered a sustained campaign of action against the Houthis. Defence Secretary John Healey said the raid was in response to the Houthi threat to shipping in the Red Sea, which was causing 'regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK'. Overnight, @RoyalAirForce Typhoons conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen to defend freedom of navigation, strengthen regional stability, protect UK economic security, and reduce the Houthis' capacity to launch further attacks. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 29, 2025 The Houthis have targeted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, busy sea lanes on the route from Asia to Europe using the Suez Canal. The attacks have led to vessels being diverted around the southern tip of Africa, adding delays and costs to shipments of goods. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the action was part of a joint operation alongside US forces, who have struck more than 800 Houthi targets since March. It is the first time the RAF has stuck Houthi targets in Yemen since May 2024 under Rishi Sunak's administration. The MoD said 'careful intelligence analysis' identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture drones around fifteen miles south of Sanaa. The strikes were conducted by Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, which used Paveway IV precision-guided bombs. Mr Healey said: 'This Government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security. 'Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base. 'We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping. 'This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation. 'A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK. 'The Government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. 'I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the servicemen and women involved in this operation.' 📸 The 2025 Carrier Strike Group at sea, led by HMS Prince of Wales 🇬🇧 An 8-month, 4,500-strong task group—supported by @NATO & allies—has entered the Med and will sail to the Western Pacific, reaffirming the UK's commitment to Med & Indo-Pacific security, trade & industry. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 29, 2025 The strikes come ahead of the expected passage of the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales through the Red Sea. The aircraft carrier and its escorts are conducting exercises in the Mediterranean before heading to the Indo-Pacific later this year. In a sign that even highly-sophisticated warships are at risk in the Red Sea, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman lost one of its F/A-18 jets earlier this month when it fell overboard, reportedly as the vessel executed a sharp turn to avoid a Houthi attack. The Houthis claim their actions are in response to Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza, an assertion dismissed by the UK and allies.
