Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the digital targeting web on (a) the connection of armed forces weapons systems and (b) battlefield decisions for targeting enemy threats.

The Digital Targeting Web (DTW) is not a single piece of equipment or software. It is the ecosystem that enables the transfer of targeting data through classifications, domains, networks and systems seamlessly on the Digital Backbone. It connects sensors, to deciders to effectors across domains in an automated, secure and scalable approach - allowing defence to not only reuse existing capabilities and in-flight programmes, but to integrate new, innovative and novel software and hardware into the DTW at the pace of relevance.

Integrating existing capability - including weapons systems and tooling used for battlefield decisions – is fundamental, but a key challenge is connecting it. The programme’s focus is on enabling this integration, facilitating data flows, and breaking down data silos. This will be achieved through an iterative, collaborative approach, guided by Defence’s needs, and underpinned by an integration service and dedicated funding pipeline.

Alongside the technical elements of the DTW, it will also address other Defence Line of Development including Doctrine and training.