The Torch
Illuminating Security and Defence Issues
Canada
As China explores the Arctic, Canada’s military is preparing for confrontation
13 October 2025
Beijing wants critical minerals. The North is rich in them....
German or South Korean subs? Ottawa’s pick will hinge on economic windfall
13 October 2025
Spending on major military projects must boost economy, says Carney's defence procurement secretary of state....
How Canada Lost the Drone Race (And How We Can Win It Back)
13 October 2025
We slipped from pioneer to bystander, but the war in Ukraine is forcing a reboot....
Parts shortages, snarled supply chains are sidelining Canadian vehicles and troops in Latvia: documents
5 September 2025
Canadian units deemed combat ineffective in recent training exercise
NATO agreed to 5% but is the public on board?
5 September 2025
One of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first major announcements after the April 2025 election was to confirm that Canada would spend 2% of GDP by the end of the fiscal year. The announcement was welcomed by NATO, but overdue; Canada was expected to get there in 2024, but it handed its homework late.
Canada’s Drone Blind Spot, and What It Can Learn from Ukraine
5 September 2025
..When a Ukrainian drone-maker walked into CANSEC, Canada’s top defence trade show this May, his reaction wasn’t subtle: “It seems that Canada is completely unprepared for any war. Most Canadian military personnel have not seen the latest technologies — they haven’t seen FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, unmanned surface vessels, or ground robotic systems. That could cost them dearly down the line”.
There Was a Time Canada Really Did Build, Baby, Build
27 July 2025 -
Lessons from when we skipped the consultants and produced the materials that won a war
Ex-fighter jet pilot Stephen Fuhr is on a mission to change how we arm the military
27 July 2025 -
Not that long ago, former air force fighter pilot Stephen Fuhr was just one among many voices in Canada complaining about the way the federal government makes big defence purchasing decisions. At no point, he said, did it occur to him that he would wind up in his current position — as the prime minister’s point person for fixing Canada’s sclerotic military procurement system.
Canada races to build icebreakers amid melting ice and geopolitical tensions
27 July 2025 -
In an Arctic reshaped by the climate crisis, less ice really means more as countries face risks in push for more ships
Canada, Australia ink Arctic over-the-horizon radar partnership arrangement
27 July 2025 -
Canada’s advanced Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) technology work with Australia advanced last month with a technology partnership arrangement between the two countries.
Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI)
The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Protects Canadian Arctic Interests
27 July 2025 -
2024 marked an inflection point in Canada’s approach to the Arctic. Two major policies were released as the result of this Arctic transformation. Jointly considered, they describe the future of Canada’s global posture in the Arctic.
Swapping weather bombs for real bombs: The debate over climate change as national security heats up
27 July 2025 -
What role should the military play as climate-related disasters become more frequent?
Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces
10 June 2025 -
Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of National Defence David McGuinty announced Canada’s plan to increase and accelerate its investments in defence. This builds on the commitments made last year in Canada’s defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF), to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, security, and prosperity, and drive economic growth in this pivotal moment.
Canada’s Arctic Strategy Falls Behind as Rivals Push Ahead
10 June 2025 -
THE ARCTIC IS slipping from Canada’s grasp. Years of neglect—by successive governments and especially under the Liberals—have left our sovereignty in the region vulnerable at precisely the wrong time. As great-power rivalries intensify, climate change opens new shipping routes, and global trade pivots north, our control over the Northwest Passage is becoming more and more tenuous.
Brigadier-General Cook: We need to be prepared for war by 2028-2030
10 June 2025 -
Time is running out for Canada and the West to rearm sufficiently to deter Chinese and Russian aggression. If we don’t, then the conditions that could motivate those countries to engage in large-scale international warfare could occur within the next three to five years.
Trump Revives Talk of 51st State. It’s Not Funny Anymore
20 May 2025
The US doesn’t need tanks to take over Canada—just trade policy and chaos. Here's how we fight back
South Korea pitches Canada on $20B-plus plan for subs, armoured vehicles
20 May 2025
A trio of South Korean companies have made a significant, multibillion-dollar pitch to Canada, promising to quickly replace the navy's aging submarines, deliver more firepower to the army and help revitalize the country's defence industrial base.
Is the promise of military icebreakers political theatre or sensible policy?
20 May 2025
A former top naval commander and several defence experts have been left scratching their heads following the governing Liberals and Opposition Conservatives' recent embrace of the notion of giving the Royal Canadian Navy heavy, armed icebreakers to defend the Arctic.
Conference of Defence Associations Institute
Getting Defence Procurement Right In a Time of Great Power Competition
20 May 2025
In recognition of the incredible complexity of sustaining defence capabilities, including timely defence procurement, the CDA Institute has initiated the “Force Development Series,” comprised of events involving a di- verse range of subject matter experts and reports as a contribution to the national discussion on defence policy. With the generous support of the Department of National Defence (DND), this fifth roundtable event of the series was held in late March 2024, on the topic of defence procurement in time of a renewed great power competition.
Canada’s military plans to be in the Arctic ‘on a near permanent basis,’ says commander
20 May 2025
Canada intends to expand its military training regime in the Arctic, deploying a variety of forces in the region for up to 10 months a year, starting this year, the military's operations commander says.