U.S. Special Ops Forces to Focus More on Cyber Warfare

Hybrid threats and rising demands drive shift in priorities for elite military units

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:06am

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U.S. Special Operations Command will prioritize cyber warfare capabilities to maintain a competitive edge against increasingly sophisticated adversaries, military leaders told Congress. Irregular threats have tripled in the past five years, forcing special operators to take on a wider array of covert missions while operating on a tight budget. To counter 'gray zone' hybrid warfare tactics, SOCOM plans to leverage the cyber domain and autonomous systems, while still emphasizing human operators as their most critical asset.

Why it matters

The changing nature of modern warfare, with the rise of gray zone tactics and cyber threats, is forcing the U.S. military's elite special operations forces to adapt their capabilities and priorities. This shift highlights the growing importance of the cyber domain as a new battlefront, as well as the ongoing challenges of maintaining readiness and technological superiority with limited resources.

The details

According to testimony from U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations Derrick Anderson and U.S. Navy Admiral Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, special operators are facing a 300% increase in mission demands over the past five years. Despite comprising less than 3% of the U.S. military, they are tasked with a wide range of covert operations, from dismantling terrorist networks to building relationships with allies. To address this, SOCOM plans to prioritize investments in cyber warfare, autonomous systems, and other disruptive technologies, while continuing to emphasize the importance of highly-trained human operators.

  • In March 2026, U.S. military leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee about the changing priorities for Special Operations Forces.
  • Over the past five years, demands on Special Operations Forces have increased by 300%.

The players

Derrick Anderson

U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict.

Frank M. Bradley

U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

U.S. Special Operations Command

The unified command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for special operations.

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What they’re saying

“The optionality that SOF delivers requires resourcing and investments. To maintain our competitive edge, SOF needs sustained partnership, predictable resourcing and continued modernization.”

— Derrick Anderson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

“Today's environment rewards forces that can operate persistently and decisively often below the threshold of armed conflict, generating irregular effects by, through, and with our allies and partners in order to produce a whole effect that is much greater than the sum of its parts.”

— Frank M. Bradley, U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command

“The cyber and the virtual domain are critical maneuver spaces that we must take advantage of.”

— Frank M. Bradley, U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command

What’s next

SOCOM will continue to invest in new technologies and capabilities to maintain a competitive edge in the cyber domain and other emerging battlespaces, while also ensuring they have the resources and personnel needed to carry out their growing mission demands.

The takeaway

The evolving nature of modern warfare, marked by the rise of gray zone tactics and cyber threats, is forcing the U.S. military's elite special operations forces to adapt their priorities and capabilities. This shift highlights the critical importance of the cyber domain as a new frontier for special operators, even as they maintain their focus on highly-trained human talent as their most valuable asset.