Cyber warriors to be fast-tracked into UK Armed Forces starting on £40K salary

Aspiring cyber professionals will be given the chance to enter a fast-track stream to become "cyber warriors" within a month.

The specialist recruits will receive one of the highest Armed Forces starting salaries of more than £40,000.

"Fast-tracking cyber warriors into our military will help ensure our Armed Forces are better equipped to face our adversaries in the 21st century and defend the country from the changing threats we face," Defence Secretary John Healey explained.

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The new entry route will see Armed Forces recruits and those with existing digital skills undertake basic training reduced from 10 weeks to around a month, after which the recruits will undergo three months of specialist training.

By the end of 2025, successful recruits will be part of the National Cyber Force, fighting off cyber attacks on the UK.

There will also be opportunities to be embedded in operational roles, securing Defence's networks and services at the digital headquarters in Corsham. 

The new recruitment programme has been developed to address a global shortage of cyber talent.

There have been more than 90,000 cyber-attacks on UK military networks over the last two years, according to Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard.

"We are in a new era of threat, with cyberspace as a new frontline," he said.

Recruitment into cyber roles in 2025 will initially be through the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with the Army joining for subsequent recruitment campaigns from early 2026.