UK Signs £2bn AI War Simulation Deal with US Contractor

The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a £2bn contract with a consortium led by US contractor Raytheon UK to develop a 15-year AI war simulation project, dubbed the Combat Laboratory. The digital platform will train up to 60,000 soldiers annually, using AI, analytics, and virtual environments to recreate modern warfare scenarios.

The Combat Laboratory will be a key tool for the UK military, allowing commanders and troops to rehearse anywhere, at any time. The system will blend simulation, live drills, and data to help the army spot patterns, judge performance, and make faster decisions.

The contract went to Omnia Training, a group of five UK-based firms, including Capita, Cervus, Rheinmetall UK, and Skyral. Raytheon set up the consortium over three years ago, and behind it sits a supply chain of 44 British businesses.

Rheinmetall, a German company, is a key partner in the project, bringing its expertise as Europe's busiest arms maker. The project draws directly on lessons from Ukraine, where AI has been used to great effect in modern warfare.

The UK's investment in the Combat Laboratory is a significant one, with a £2bn price tag and a 15-year contract. The project is expected to have a major impact on the UK military, and will be closely watched by other countries around the world.