British army unveils new digital targeting system to boost battlefield precision

The British Army has unveiled a cutting-edge digital targeting system designed to significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of military strikes, marking a major step in the modernisation of the UK’s armed forces.

The new system, known as ASGARD (Advanced Sensor Ground Acquisition and Reconnaissance Device), was showcased this week in London to international allies and defence industry partners. Developed through a novel acquisition strategy, ASGARD enables troops to identify and engage enemy targets at extended ranges while drastically reducing the time needed to make strike decisions, Caliber.Az reports per Mirage. 

Following successful trials with British forces stationed on NATO’s eastern flank during Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia, ASGARD demonstrated its capability to increase lethality and precision. The system integrates artificial intelligence and advanced communications networks to form a rapid digital targeting web, enhancing battlefield awareness and operational tempo.

The initiative is part of a broader UK defence transformation following the Strategic Defence Review, which outlines a tenfold increase in Army lethality over the next decade. This effort includes investments in firepower, surveillance, autonomy, digital connectivity, and data integration, positioning the UK as a technological leader within NATO.

“This technology represents a generational leap forward,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. “ASGARD will deliver rapid decision-support and improved strike effectiveness, giving our soldiers a decisive edge on the battlefield.”

Contracts for ASGARD’s development were issued in January 2025, just three months after its announcement by the Defence Secretary in October 2024. The prototype system was deployed and tested within four months—an unusually rapid timeline for such complex defence technology.

ASGARD is central to the UK’s plan to build a comprehensive digital targeting network across all branches of the Armed Forces by 2027. Backed by more than £1 billion in funding, the program will better connect weapons systems, streamline communications, and ensure faster response to emerging threats.

The Ministry of Defence has committed additional funding for the next phase of ASGARD’s development, emphasising its dual role in strengthening national defence and supporting British industry. Officials say the project reflects the Government’s broader Plan for Change, aimed at keeping the UK secure at home and influential abroad.

By Sabina Mammadli