The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has directed the British Esports Federation to deliver a military and industry esports tournament to improve the digital skills of the defence sector. 

Taking place next year, the tournament – International Defence Esports Games (IDEG) – will be delivered through Strategic Command, soon to be the new Cyber and Specialist Operations Command. 

Focusing on AI and drone use, this “first-of-its-kind tournament” reflects how “military esports has been steadily growing in recent years”, Chester King, President of British Esports said.  

Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander of StratCom, added that “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”.  

On the industry front, BAE Systems is among those defence companies supporting the tournament, alongside “several smaller military technology companies”, according to the statement. 

An MoD spokesperson was unable to comment to DSEI Gateway which companies are involved at this time; however, they said that they “will be announced as part of the IDEG build up”. 

In terms of aims, the initiative looks to benefit military personnel initially, but the MoD says it will later expand it to include cadets, veterans, civil servants and the wider defence industry. 

The improvement of digital skills “will boost the country’s warfighting readiness”, taking note of the lessons of Ukraine, where esports have been instrumental in training drone operators and cybersecurity practitioners, the MoD states. 

It comes amid an ongoing skills crisis in the defence sector, with the Strategic Defence Review identifying a “persistent shortage of key digital skills within the armed forces and civil service”. 

Initial steps to bring esports and defence closer together have already commenced, with British Esports recently launching “an esports facility” onboard HMS Prince of Wales.  

The facility used gaming hardware from Alienware, NVIDIA and Intel. Members of the Singapore Armed Forces and Singapore Esports Association were also in attendance. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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