British forces advancing over 400 AI projects in tech push

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking more than 400 projects involving artificial intelligence (AI), according to a parliamentary answer provided in the House of Lords on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from Lord Taylor of Warwick about how increased defence spending would support AI research and implementation, Defence Minister Lord Coaker stated that the technology was a central focus of the department’s modernisation efforts.

“AI (and the autonomy it enables) has potential to transform every aspect of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces,” said Lord Coaker. “Rapid and scaled adoption of these technologies is a key Defence priority and significant work is underway across the Department, including over 400 AI-related projects and programmes.”

According to the minister, the MOD’s AI activities are coordinated through the Defence AI Centre, which brings together Defence Digital, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

This cross-organisational partnership is focused on delivering secure and responsible AI adoption across defence.

“Dstl’s Science and Technology research capabilities therefore underpin our approach to AI,” Coaker explained, “helping to ensure that the MOD understand key technological developments while also developing the standards, tooling and Test and Evaluation capabilities to adopt and use AI-enabled systems safely and responsibly.”

The answer comes amid broader reforms to defence procurement and innovation frameworks announced in the 2025 Spring Statement, including the formation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and a commitment to spend at least 10% of the equipment procurement budget on novel technologies such as AI-enabled systems.

The Ministry has repeatedly emphasised the need to accelerate adoption of emerging technologies to ensure the UK Armed Forces maintain an operational edge in an increasingly contested global security environment.