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Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
UK military now has new AI digital targeting system similar to Ukraine and Russia
The ASGARD system is designed to dramatically enhance the speed and accuracy of the UK's battlefield strikes - with the UK military now having a system similar to those used by Ukraine and Russia The British Army has revealed cutting-edge AI digital targeting technology comparable to systems deployed by Russia and Ukraine. ASGARD is engineered to drastically enhance both the velocity and precision of the UK's combat operations. The technology underwent trials during recent NATO military exercises, employing artificial intelligence and sophisticated communication networks to identify and engage hostile targets across extended distances. It allows choices that previously required hours to be executed within minutes, representing a substantial enhancement to operational pace. ASGARD was revealed by Defence Secretary John Healey last October, with contracts distributed in January before an official prototype was deployed mere months afterwards, reports the Express. The system underwent successful evaluation during NATO's Exercise Hedgehog, carried out in Estonia across a fortnight in May. In a statement, Maria Eagle, the Defence Procurement Minister, said: "We are learning the lessons from Ukraine so our frontline personnel can strike further and faster and maintain advantage over our adversaries. "ASGARD exemplifies the vision of the Strategic Defence Review, with speed and world-class capability." Describing the system as a "breakthrough", Sir Roland Walker, the Chief of General Staff, added: "ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike. What took hours, now takes minutes." He also highlighted how the new system brings Britain closer to the high-speed targeting networks employed by the likes of Ukraine and Russia. It forms part of the Army's strategy to establish a 'Digital Targeting Web' across the Armed Forces by 2027 which has already secured backing of over £1billion in funding. Meanwhile, Britain and its people are not safe, a former Nato general secretary has warned, as he told Parliament describing the country as underprepared for war is an "understatement". Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who co-authored the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), said the UK is lacking in ammunition, training, people, logistics, and medical capacity. He told the upper chamber: "Bearing in mind the difficult world that we live in and have to survive in, this is what I firmly believe: we are underinsured, we are underprepared, we are not safe. This country and its people are not safe. "The British people are faced with a world in turmoil, with great power competitions spilling over now into conflict, with constant grey zone attacks on our mainland, and with Russia - often with the co-operation of Iran, China and North Korea - challenging the existing world order. We simply in this country are not safe."
The National
16-07-2025
- Business
- The National
£250m cash injection for nukes branded 'gimmick'
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray travelled north of the Border on Wednesday to visit HMNB Clyde at Faslane to unveil the investment alongside Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle. The UK Government said that the money would ensure the base – located less than 40 miles from Scotland's largest city – could store the next generation of nuclear submarines. But the Scottish Greens said Labour were throwing money 'into the bottomless pit of money that is the Trident nuclear weapon programme'. Ross Greer (below), who is running to become party co-leader, said: 'Pouring hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money into military gimmicks won't make us any safer. (Image: Gordon Terris) 'It will only take money away from the urgent work needed to lift children out of poverty and tackle the climate emergency. The only winners here are the arms companies who will make a fortune. 'The UK Government continues to use Scotland as a dumping ground for their weapons of mass slaughter. This new funding isn't going to reduce the risk of living near Faslane nor the totally unacceptable risk of transporting nuclear and explosive materials by road through Scotland's towns and cities.' READ MORE: Ian Murray to visit Faslane to announce £250m investment in nuclear base The West of Scotland MSP said there could 'never be justification for weapons which are only capable of indiscriminate mass killing', adding: 'The terrible legacy of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is all the warning we need from history in that regard. 'Our communities in the West of Scotland need sustainable, safe jobs and a decent safety net in the social security system. This money could have been used for that, but instead it will go straight to some of the world's biggest arms manufacturers.' He proposed turning Faslane into a 'conventional naval base, meeting our defensive needs on the west coast for a fraction of the cost of this nuclear arsenal'. The costs of maintaining Britain's nuclear arsenal are spiralling – and as the fleet ages, crew are forced to go on longer, riskier patrols. A report in 2023 found that costs had increased from the previous year by £38.2 billion, a hike of 62% from 2022. Murray defended the spend ahead of his visit, saying: 'It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the continuous at sea deterrent from a modern, efficient base which will result in a better environment for our hero submariners to live, work and train in.'
STV News
16-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Scottish Secretary and defence minister to launch £250m Faslane investment
The Scottish Secretary and UK defence procurement minister are to launch a £250m investment at the base housing Scotland's nuclear weapons. The funding for HMNB Clyde at Faslane was announced in the spending review last month and will be spent over the next three years to improve infrastructure at the site. The upgrade will ensure the base can house the next generation of nuclear submarines. UK Government ministers Ian Murray and Maria Eagle will visit the site on Wednesday, meeting with senior military officials, the leaders of Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils, and local MPs. Scottish Secretary Mr Murray described the spending as a 'defence dividend' as he continued to talk up the economic impact of investing in the sector in Scotland, including through the Clyde 2070 programme, which will see billions pumped into the industry in the coming decades. 'With Faslane home to the nation's first and final line of defence – the UK's nuclear deterrent, it's only right that Clyde 2070 represents one of the most significant UK Government investments over the coming decades,' he said. 'It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the continuous at sea deterrent from a modern, efficient base which will result in a better environment for our hero submariners to live, work and train in. 'Crucially it will also create skilled jobs – including for small and medium-size firms – boost the economy and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management, by bringing together government, Scottish communities, industry, supply chains and academia to address the challenges.' Defence procurement minister Ms Eagle said Scotland plays a 'crucial role' in the country's Trident nuclear deterrent, which forms the 'bedrock of the UK's defence'. She added: 'We are today re-affirming that unshakeable commitment by launching this multibillion-pound investment to His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, which is vital to our deterrence capability. 'The initial £250 million of funding over three years will support jobs, skills and growth across the west of Scotland. 'This Government will keep the UK safe for generations to come while delivering on the Plan for Change and making defence an engine for growth.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Faslane naval base investment proves 'unshakeable commitment' to UK's nuclear deterrent
Faslane, home to the UK's fleet of nuclear submarines for more than 50 years, is set for a major infrastructure upgrade. A multi-million pound upgrade to Faslane naval base will prove the country's "unshakeable commitment" to its nuclear deterrent, the UK Government has said. Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, will join defence minister Maria Eagle today for a visit to HMNB Clyde where they will meet Royal Navy top brass to discuss how a £250m investment will improve the site's infrastructure and create jobs. It comes after Keir Starmer last month announced the UK will build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of a wider increase in defence spending. Faslane has been home to the UK's fleet of nuclear submarines for more than 50 years and the base is a major employer across West Dunbartonshire and neighbouring Argyll & Bute. But the base remains a major bone of contention between the Scottish and UK Governments as the SNP is resolutely opposed to nuclear weapons being kept on the Clyde. Nationalists have repeatedly said the nukes would be removed if the country ever voted for independence in the has sought to change the narrative on defence spending in Scotland by highlighting the employment it creates as well as its necessity in an increasingly dangerous world. Approximately 26,100 skilled jobs - including shipbuilding - across Scotland are already supported by the Ministry of Defence's annual multi-billion pound spend and the UK Government's Brand Scotland campaign is working to build on that success and help the sector export its world-class technology internationally. Eagle, the defence procurement minister, said: 'Our nuclear deterrent is the bedrock of the UK's defence and the cornerstone of our commitment to NATO and global security and Scotland plays a crucial role in that. "We are today re-affirming that unshakeable commitment by launching this multi-billion-pound investment to His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, which is vital to our deterrence capability. "The initial £250 million of funding over three years will support jobs, skills and growth across the west of Scotland. This Government will keep the UK safe for generations to come while delivering on the Plan for Change and making defence an engine for growth." Murray, the Scottish Secretary, said: "This defence dividend for Scotland will help ensure Britain's security, deter our adversaries and drive economic growth in the area for years to come as part of our Plan for Change. "With Faslane home to the nation's first and final line of defence – the UK's nuclear deterrent, it's only right that Clyde 2070 represents one of the most significant UK Government investments over the coming decades. It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the Continuous At Sea Deterrent from a modern, efficient base which will result in a better environment for our hero submariners to live, work and train in. "Crucially it will also create skilled jobs - including for small and medium size firms - boost the economy and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management, by bringing together government, Scottish communities, industry, supply chains and academia to address the challenges. "The Defence Nuclear Enterprise already supports a supply chain of over 3,000 businesses across the UK, benefiting regions like the West of Scotland, and I urge the Scottish Government to work with us on maximising these clear benefits."
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Scottish Secretary and defence minister to launch £250m Faslane investment
The funding for HMNB Clyde at Faslane was announced in the spending review last month and will be spent over the next three years to improve infrastructure at the site. The upgrade will ensure the base can house the next generation of nuclear submarines. UK Government ministers Ian Murray and Maria Eagle will visit the site on Wednesday, meeting with senior military officials, the leaders of Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils, and local MPs. Scottish Secretary Mr Murray described the spending as a 'defence dividend' as he continued to talk up the economic impact of investing in the sector in Scotland, including through the Clyde 2070 programme, which will see billions pumped into the industry in the coming decades. 'With Faslane home to the nation's first and final line of defence – the UK's nuclear deterrent, it's only right that Clyde 2070 represents one of the most significant UK Government investments over the coming decades,' he said. 'It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the continuous at sea deterrent from a modern, efficient base which will result in a better environment for our hero submariners to live, work and train in. 'Crucially it will also create skilled jobs – including for small and medium-size firms – boost the economy and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management, by bringing together government, Scottish communities, industry, supply chains and academia to address the challenges.' Defence procurement minister Ms Eagle said Scotland plays a 'crucial role' in the country's Trident nuclear deterrent, which forms the 'bedrock of the UK's defence'. She added: 'We are today re-affirming that unshakeable commitment by launching this multibillion-pound investment to His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, which is vital to our deterrence capability. 'The initial £250 million of funding over three years will support jobs, skills and growth across the west of Scotland. 'This Government will keep the UK safe for generations to come while delivering on the Plan for Change and making defence an engine for growth.'
