James Bond, relaxing in Monte Carlo, fails to prevent, the theft of a "Tiger" helicopter, a feature of which is its shielding against electro-magnetic energy.  M warns Bond not let his judgement be clouded by feelings of responsibility for the death of his friend and colleauge Alec Trevelyan 9 years earlier at the hands of General Orumov, one of those involved in this case.

007 heads to Russia, and with help from betrayed Russian Natalia, unveils a plan to use Goldeneye, an electro-magnetic weapon, to create economic chaos in London by erasing every computer record instantaneously.