ASGARD Digital Strike Network
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed the British Army will test its ASGARD digital strike network at the corps level in the second quarter of 2026, marking a key step in expanding its digital targeting capabilities. ASGARD is designed to link sensors, decision-support tools, and precision weapons into an integrated reconnaissance and strike system to speed battlefield decisions and boost lethality, the MoD said in written parliamentary answers.
What the Corps-Level Test Means
The upcoming test will move ASGARD beyond early experimentation at lower tactical levels into a larger formation structure that could involve tens of thousands of soldiers. The move aligns with the Army Command Plan and NATO standards, and supports the broader effort to build a UK Armed Forces Digital Targeting Web by 2027.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard described ASGARD as intended to create a “digitally enabled reconnaissance and strike network” to improve battlefield decision-making and increase combat effectiveness. Pollard said future funding and development will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, with firm cost figures not yet released.
Background: ASGARD’s Role in Digital Transformation
ASGARD is at the core of the British Army’s shift toward networked warfare. It uses artificial intelligence, secure communications, and integrated data to accelerate the sense-identify-decide-strike sequence. The goal is to reduce decision cycles that once took hours to mere minutes.
The ASGARD programme emerged from the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, which calls for significant increases in lethality and integration of digital systems across forces. The initiative is backed by more than £1 billion in funding aimed at creating a comprehensive Digital Targeting Web by 2027.
How ASGARD Works
At its core, ASGARD creates a common operating picture by fusing data from many sensors and platforms. This includes reconnaissance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars, and human inputs, all feeding into a shared network that helps commanders identify, prioritize, and engage targets faster.
Industry contributions include digital command centre software that provides a common operational picture for real-time decision-making. These tools help commanders see the battlespace, share intelligence across units, and coordinate effects quickly and efficiently.
Military and Alliance Context
The ASGARD initiative reflects a wider trend in modern militaries toward integrated digital systems and networked targeting solutions. Similar approaches have been fielded by other NATO members and in ongoing conflicts where rapid detection and strike cycles offer a tactical edge. By scaling ASGARD to larger formations such as corps, the British Army is testing whether the system can support complex operations and align with alliance interoperability needs.
What Comes Next
The 2026 corps-level test is just one milestone. Success there could lead to broader integration across divisions and joint force components, and future participation in large-scale NATO exercises to further validate command and control across allied units. Outcomes will inform the continued rollout of the Digital Targeting Web that planners hope will be fully operational by 2027.
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