In a landmark moment for the future of UK defence, the British Army has unveiled its next-generation digital warfare system, “Asgard” — a cutting-edge technology designed to dramatically increase the Army’s ability to detect, target, and strike enemy forces with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Developed with the support of over £1 billion in investment, Asgard is at the heart of the British Army’s transformation to meet the demands of modern warfare.
The system integrates artificial intelligence, advanced surveillance, secure communications, and data analysis into a unified platform that will, according to military leaders, make the Army “ten times more lethal over the next ten years.”
Leading NATO in Digital Warfare
Following successful live trials with British troops in Estonia, Asgard now positions the UK at the forefront of NATO’s digital battlefield revolution. The system was publicly showcased in London last week to international allies and defence industry partners, demonstrating its potent capability to streamline and accelerate the targeting process — turning what once took hours into mere minutes.
“Asgard helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike. What took hours, now takes minutes,” said General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff. “Project Asgard proves we can do things differently. It’s not just a pathfinder for transformation; it’s a transformation in how we find, fund, and fight with cutting-edge capabilities.”
A Strategic Edge in Modern Warfare
The Asgard system enhances what is known as ‘recce-strike’ — the ability to detect and destroy enemy targets far beyond the front line. This capability is critical in modern conflict, where speed, precision, and distance are decisive. Asgard enables soldiers to strike from much greater distances while enhancing their protection and battlefield awareness.
“Today, the UK possesses a similar Recce-Strike system to the one used by Ukraine to maul Russian forces in the Donbas,” General Walker noted. “That system now sits at the heart of our Forward Land Forces in Estonia.”
Major General Indrek Sirel, Commander of the Estonian Division, praised the rapid implementation and battlefield effect of Asgard:
“I was really impressed with the speed of the delivery of the concept, because literally a year ago that was just ideas. I saw how eager soldiers were to learn the new equipment and how much the introduction of elements of project Asgard already have improved the performance of the Brigade and contributed to the division being more efficient and more lethal.”
Three New Ways to Fight
Asgard introduces three transformational capabilities:
- A dismounted data system to greatly improve voice and data communications for soldiers operating on the front lines.
- The DART 250 One Way Effector, a precision-strike weapon that can reach targets three times further than current UK ground-based rockets.
- A mission support network, accelerating the ‘digital targeting chain’ — the critical loop of sensing, deciding, and striking enemy targets.
The integration of these tools significantly shortens the ‘kill chain,’ delivering rapid, coordinated strikes from a range that keeps British troops out of harm’s way.
Building the Future Force
Asgard is a cornerstone of the Army’s broader plan to build a fully networked, digital targeting ecosystem across the UK’s Armed Forces by 2027. It will allow seamless coordination between surveillance assets, weapon systems, and decision-makers — creating a force that is more agile, connected, and deadly.
Crucially, the programme also supports UK innovation and industry. “We are particularly proud of the collaboration between tacticians and technicians, between Defence and Industry,” said General Walker, “and the support of and to small and medium enterprises and jobs across the UK.”
Preparing for the Wars of Tomorrow
As global threats evolve, the British Army is adapting with vision and resolve. The modern battlefield demands speed, stealth, electronic resilience, and autonomous systems — all of which Asgard is engineered to deliver.
With lessons drawn from Ukraine and other theatres of conflict, the UK is ensuring its forces remain ready and dominant. As General Walker concluded:
“Asgard is not just a technological leap — it’s a strategic advantage for the UK and our allies. The British Army is leading the way.”
