The Torch
Illuminating Security and Defence Issues
Emerging Technologies
Rising Demand for Directed Energy C-UAS as Drone Threat Spreads Beyond Battlefield
13 July, 2026
A recent decision by the Pentagon to deploy high-energy laser and high-powered microwave counter-drone weapon systems to five U.S. military bases by the end of the year is a major boost for the growing segment of directed energy (DE) in defense. For a variety of reasons, the appeal of these types of systems is reaching a new peak....
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
13 July, 2026
A senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry told New Scientist that a test took place two years ago involving fully autonomous drones set to destroy anything in a given area, with confirmed casualties....
Humanoid Robots To Be Developed for Ukrainian Armed Forces as Part of New Grant Competition
13 July, 2026
Ukraine will hold a grant competition to develop humanoid robots for the needs of the Armed Forces....
Robots Just Captured a Russian Position in Ukraine—but Don’t Worry About Real-Life Terminators Just Yet
12 June, 2026
Ukraine’s increasing use of drones in its defence has received a great deal of attention as Russia’s invasion has dragged on. While most of this has focused on aerial and maritime drones, the army’s use of ground robotics has been a quieter story—but one with growing significance....
Ukraine’s robotic army starts to turn the tide against Russia’s bloody advance
12 June, 2026
After four years of conflict, Ukraine is now a world leader in drone technology – giving it a strategic edge that could prove decisive in the fight to reclaim territory....
Inside Anduril: Meet the quiet engineer-CEO building America’s $31 billion weapons startup
12 June, 2026
The Pentagon is turning to Anduril for drones, missiles, and software. It’s the biggest sign yet that Silicon Valley is shaking up the military-industrial complex....
Light speed weapons? Directed energy and the future of the ADF
11 May, 2026
Directed energy weapons (DEW), including high energy laser and high-power microwave weapons, are increasingly important in counter-drone tasks across air, sea and land....
Inside Ukraine’s robot war revolution
11 May, 2026
A Ukrainian commander tells POLITICO how robotic systems are transforming the battlefield, in a development with the potential to reshape how wars are fought....
Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills
11 May, 2026
The Pentagon last month held its first “Top Drone” school for drone pilots to demonstrate their skills in a threat-representative environment....
Cheap drones are reshaping the war in the sky
8 April, 2026
How the US is fighting a war without sending ground troops to Iran — and the inexpensive drones making it harder....