The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced “a new first-of-its-kind” esports tournament to develop knowledge and skills in the cyber sphere for its personnel.
MoD stated that the tournament “will include a focus on AI and drone operation,” as the British government seek to develop skills to “boost the country’s warfighting readiness.”
MoD has announced that they have appointed the British Esports Federation as the tournament organisers for The International Defence Esports Games (IDEG), an annual esports tournament that will “improve Armed Forces digital talent”, according to the joint press release.
The first tournament will be held “in late 2026,” with the production for the tournament will be fulfilled by a yet unannounced “leading esports production company.”
The esports event will be in conjunction with an annual summit, which will focus on “education, recruitment and skills, including AI”
Why are the Ministry of Defence targeting esports?
The MoD statement shows that the Army view esports as a path to developing valuable transferable skills for its defensive aims. Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command, provided a statement in the press release, noting how esports have proven to be a basis for skill development for drone operation:
“We’ve learned from our Ukrainian partners about how esports can train drone operators and cybersecurity specialists. People are quickly grasping how esports can change perspectives and enhance skills, as well as reaching across borders with our international allies and partners.”
The senior British Army officer went on to compare esports to traditional sports, which the British Army has historically included in its activities:
“For centuries, we’ve used ball games like rugby and football to develop teamwork, hone mental and physical fitness and build resilience. Esports perfectly complement these games in preparing us for 21st-century security challenges.”
Government Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns MP, provided the following statement:
Esports will help attract, develop, and retain top cyber and digital talent, while fostering this government’s Plan for Change. Our people must now be as adept with code, cybersecurity and a games controller as they are with traditional combat skills.
From drone operations to data analysis, modern defence and deterrence needs agile minds that can navigate both physical and digital battlegrounds.
The International Defence Esports Games is an exciting initiative that will help foster exactly these skills in a fun, collaborative way, and overcome many traditional boundaries between our international partners.
Chester King, President of British Esports, explained British Esports’ collaboration as such:
Military esports has been steadily growing in recent years, and today we’re delighted to announce a first-of-its-kind tournament for military personnel around the world. The UK’s armed forces have recognised video games as a positive activity that can improve personnel welfare and morale, foster digital and cyber skills, and strengthen relations across the armed forces and beyond.
“We’re happy to announce the International Defence Esports Games and support the future of the military.”
The announcement comes just weeks after the British Army partnered with British Esports to launch an esports facility on the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier. The facility intends to foster the same skills that can be transfered to Military personnel as described above, and provide “an additional space to decompress in their down time.”
Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
