The Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) were at DSEI this month and used this year’s theme of ‘Preparing the Future Force’ to outline the UK’s next phase of investment in digital defence. The Command’s programme at DSEI focused on building resilience across all domains and emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation with industry partners to maintain a technological edge.
A key announcement was the creation of the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF), designed to integrate military expertise with cyber defence teams and industry capabilities. The Force will strengthen protection of UK networks against increasingly complex attacks. Industry involvement is central to its success, with opportunities for suppliers of cyber security tools, data management systems and specialist services to work alongside defence teams.
Attention also centred on the £1 billion Digital Targeting Web, a major programme scheduled for delivery by 2030. The system will connect fragmented platforms and networks into a single architecture, fusing intelligence and targeting data through artificial intelligence and machine learning. The aim is to accelerate decision-making and deliver precision effects at scale. The programme’s scale will create opportunities across software engineering, data analytics, secure communications and advanced computing.
CSOC also highlighted the role of innovation partnerships in supporting the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which sets out the UK’s approach to countering fast-changing cyber threats. General Sir Jim Hockenhull’s keynote reinforced the urgency of accelerating development cycles and working with industry to bring new capabilities into service at pace.
Alongside technical developments, CSOC showcased initiatives to attract the next generation of defence talent, with Next Generation Day activities and support for Digital and STEM bursary students. These schemes will shape future skills pipelines and open further avenues for collaboration between academia, government and industry.
DSEI 2025 reinforced the central role of cyber and electromagnetic capabilities in the UK’s defence strategy. For suppliers, the announcements signal significant demand for innovative solutions in digital defence, from software and AI integration to secure communications and cyber protection. The scale of planned investment confirms that industry partnerships will be critical in ensuring UK forces remain agile and resilient in an increasingly contested environment.
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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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