Cyber defences boosted as ageing tanks get broadside
BORIS JOHNSON will reveal plans to bolster the UK’s cyber capability when he announces the outcome of the government’s far-ranging review of foreign and defence policy tomorrow.
The prime minister will commit to taking a ‘full-spectrum’ approach to cyber in a bid to keep people safe and stay ahead of Britain’s enemies.
But his statement on the Integrated Review comes amid stinging criticism from MPs of the country’s ageing tanks and armoured vehicles.
A new report by the Commons defence committee warned that the Army’s armoured fighting vehicle fleet faces ‘mass obsolescence’ due to mishandled procurement procedures.
Any ‘artillery duel’ between British and Russian divisions was ‘likely to end one way – and not necessarily to the Army’s advantage’, it says.
Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood blamed ‘bureaucratic procrastination, military indecision, financial mismanagement and general ineptitude’ over the past two decades.
Some vehicles dated back to the early 1960s, said the committee, which identified the Challenger 2 main battle tank (pictured) and the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle as needing modernisation after decades without ‘meaningful upgrades’. Mr Johnson will use his statement to announce plans for a ‘cyber corridor’ across the north of England – where the new National Cyber Force (NCF) will be based. Created last year to boost the UK’s capacity to conduct targeted offensive cyber operations, the NCF brings personnel from defence and intelligence agencies under one command. ‘Cyber power is revolutionising the way we live our lives and fight our wars, just as air power did 100 years ago,’ the PM said.
‘Our new, full-spectrum approach to cyber will transform our ability to protect our people, promote our interests around the world and make the lives of British people better every day.’
Responding to MPs’ criticism, the MoD said the Integrated Review will ‘deliver an upgraded, digitised and networked armoured force to meet future threats.’