The Torch
Illuminating Security and Defence Issues
5 Eyes Partners
F-35 Fleet Readiness Falls to 25% Amid Parts Shortages and Software Delays: GAO Report
13 July, 2026
The readiness of the U.S. military's F-35 Lightning II fleet continued to decline during fiscal year 2025, with only one-quarter of the global fleet capable of performing all assigned missions, according to a new report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)....
Trump invokes law to increase weapons production after Iran war depleted US stocks
13 July, 2026
President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force defense companies to manufacture more weapons after the war with Iran depleted stockpiles....
Hundreds of British soldiers to start drone and electronic warfare training at vast Canadian site
13 July, 2026
Hundreds of British soldiers will start drone and electronic warfare training at a vast facility in Canada - several years after the UK scrapped major tank and artillery exercises at the site....
The US Army wants thousands of air defense missiles to replace the Stinger
12 June, 2026
The U.S. Army plans to order thousands of next-generation, short-range air defense missiles to replace the aging FIM-92 Stinger....
State-of-art Ghost Bat advances to operational phase after missile test
12 June, 2026
Far from being an endangered species, Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program is going from strength to strength, as the program moves from developmental to the operational phase....
Healey’s shock resignation over defence plan pushes Starmer to brink
12 June, 2026
Former defence secretary accuses PM of putting UK’s security at risk at a time of growing international threats....
A Decade-Long Struggle to Thwart Iran’s Drones Carries Warnings for the UK
11 May, 2026
Iran’s lethal drone capability has again been on display in this latest conflict, killing six American soldiers and one French soldier, and damaging sites with British personnel, including an RAF base. Millions of dollars’ worth of US equipment losses, including& radars and satellite communications, underline the threat of the roughly $50-70,000-drones. RAF personnel have already shot down a significant number of them, but the next challenge is ensuring the whole force is adequately protected. Recent history shows this is easier said than done....
Lessons from the French Army’s Transformation Towards a Modern ‘Fighting Army’
11 May, 2026
The transformation of France’s land forces to a Fighting Army, a response to the 2014 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, has lessons for the British Army....
Mobilisation and Training for War: Preparing to Break Glass
11 May, 2026
The UK must overhaul mobilisation and training to meet rising security threats, ensuring rapid force expansion, effective integration and Alliance resilience....
‘We’re f***ed!’ British Army brigade ‘destroyed by Ukraine’ in Nato wargame
8 April, 2026
A team of just 10 Ukrainians counter-attacked the Nato forces 'destroying' 17 armoured vehicles and overwhelming their opponents....