The UK is moving to integrate ballistic missile early warning into its emerging digital targeting architecture, as part of wider efforts to modernise how the Armed Forces detect and respond to threats.
In response to a written question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that missile warning capabilities will form part of the developing Digital Targeting Web (DTW).
“Ballistic missile early warning is a vital component of national defence, and the Government reaffirmed its commitment to this capability in the SDR, of which the Digital Targeting Web will be a key element,” he said.
The DTW is intended to link sensors, decision-making and weapons systems across domains, enabling faster and more integrated responses to threats.
Pollard added that the Maritime Fighting Web will provide the naval component of this architecture, subject to decisions in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
The Ministry of Defence aims to deliver the first elements of the DTW, described as a “Minimum Viable Product”, in 2026, with further development to follow. Pollard said plans will continue to evolve in response to emerging threats, suggesting the architecture will be adapted as the system matures.
I know a lot of people won’t be happy about any military project that doesn’t include counting frigates, tanks or planes but the Digital Targeting Web being developed by the MoD and projects like ASGARD might be the single most important conventional capability we are currently developing for ENATO. The US has used project MAVEN to great effect in Iran, the UK must have its own 100% sovereign capacity for such a system that it can also allow Allie’s to plug into. We especially need to remove any Palantir dependency.