The UK Ministry of Defence has teamed up with national esports body British Esports to improve digital and cyber skills among military personnel.
As part of the partnership, British Esports will help deliver the International Defence Esports Games (IDEG), an annual esports tournament for members of the UK military.
According to a press release, the UK Ministry of Defence aims to leverage esports as an accessible environment to hone digital literacy, particularly in the domains of AI and drone operation.
The initiative took inspiration from Ukrainian drone simulator games, showcasing that esports can facilitate the training of drone operators and cybersecurity specialists.
Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE, Deputy Commander UK Strategic Command, explained why cyber skills are crucial when it comes to the UK’s warfighting readiness: “As competition and conflict increasingly play out in cyberspace and the digital arena, these games equip our people to think, operate and innovate across both the physical and virtual worlds, developing team coordination and rapid decision-making under pressure.”  Â
Last year, the Ministry of Defence already recognised esports as an official military sport to ensure funding and competitive opportunities for personnel.
“People are quickly grasping how esports can change perspectives and enhance skills, as well as reaching across borders with our international allies and partners,” added the Deputy Commander.
Initially open to service personnel, IDEG will later expand to include cadets, veterans, civil servants and anyone working in the defence industry. The inaugural IDEG Final will be held in the UK in late 2026.
Together with the new partnership, the Ministry of Defence also revealed the Cyber Direct Entry Scheme to provide an efficient entry route into the UK military for aspiring cyber professionals and those with existing digital skills.
British Esports and the UK Military
Since 2016, the British Esports Federation has acted as a national esports body within the UK. Through various initiatives and partnerships, the organisation strives to grow esports nationwide and spearhead its integration into educational curricula.
Recently, British Esports partnered with another branch of the UK military, the Royal Navy. The two parties launched an esports facility aboard UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, featuring gaming gear from Alienware, NVIDIA and Intel.
Earlier this month, British Esports shared that its own esports facility in Sunderland will open in 2026.
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