The British Army has rolled out a new AI digital targeting system, ASGARD, which mirrors technology utilised by Russian and Ukrainian forces. The system is engineered to significantly enhance the speed and precision of the UK's battlefield strikes.
ASGARD was put through its paces during recent NATO drills, employing artificial intelligence and cutting-edge communication networks to identify and engage enemy targets from afar.
The system revolutionises decision-making on the battlefield, reducing processes that previously took hours to just minutes, thereby accelerating operational pace. Defence Secretary John Healey announced ASGARD last October, with contracts awarded in January and a prototype swiftly deployed shortly thereafter.
The system's capabilities were demonstrated during NATO's Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia, spanning two weeks in May, reports the Express.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle commented: "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."
Hailing the system as a "breakthrough", Chief of General Staff Sir Roland Walker remarked: "ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike. What took hours, now takes minutes."
He further highlighted how the innovative system draws Britain nearer to the rapid-fire targeting capabilities employed by nations such as Ukraine and Russia.
This forms part of the Army's ambitious strategy to create a 'Digital Targeting Web' across the Armed Forces by 2027, a project that has already secured more than £1billion in financial backing.
However, a former Nato secretary-general has issued a stark warning to Parliament that Britain and its citizens remain vulnerable, describing the nation as woefully unprepared for conflict as an "understatement".
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who helped author the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), highlighted the UK's deficiencies in ammunition supplies, training programmes, personnel numbers, logistical support, and medical infrastructure.
Speaking to the House of Lords, he declared: "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."
