UK Unveils Ambitious Plan to Modernize Army: AI, Cyber Warfare, and a Stronger Public Connection

The UK government unveiled its ambitious Strategic Defence Review (SDR) on Monday, outlining a plan to modernize and strengthen the British Army. The review, obtained exclusively by the Daily Express, details significant investments in advanced weaponry, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Defense Reporter Conor Wilson explains, "The SDR identifies a need to invest in weaponry, learn from the lessons of Ukraine, and fight with better technology." The plan includes increasing the size of the armed forces, though not drastically in the short term. Wilson points out that current army troop numbers are at their lowest since the Napoleonic Wars. However, the long-term strategy involves better integration of reserves, including the Army Reserves and the Strategic Reserve. The government also aims to enhance public understanding of the military by expanding the cadet forces to 250,000 and investing in STEM education within those forces. This multifaceted approach aims to create a more agile, technologically advanced, and publicly connected military for the UK.