Forces have been stripped back since the cold war but political stasis is dangerous in the face of growing global threats

• Middle East crisis – live updates

It will have been more than three weeks since the US and Israel first attacked Iran when the first British warship finally arrives off the coast of Cyprus, a belated defensive deployment that has highlighted the lack of military capacity available to the UK.

Nominally, HMS Dragon was one of three destroyers available out of six. In reality the warship has had to be hauled out of dry dock, prepared and then, after launch, tested for several days in the Channel. Its arrival date is still unconfirmed.

British forces in Bahrain and Iraq being drawn into Iran conflict in defence of ‘civilian sites and military assets’

• US-Israeli attack on Iran – live updates

Three hundred British personnel were within 200 metres (650ft) of an Iranian missile and drone strike on the US naval base in Bahrain on Saturday – one of several incidents where UK forces have been drawn into the war in the Middle East.

No casualties were reported in the incident, one of more than 25 waves of retaliatory attacks in response to the massive US-Israeli joint bombing campaign launched against Iran on Saturday.

Exclusive: Delay at Glascoed is latest setback for armed forces and for UK’s capacity to supply shells to Ukraine

A new factory in Wales seen as crucial to boosting UK munitions production remains unopened more than six months after its planned launch, adding to a string of delays dogging the armed forces.

The explosives facility at Glascoed, south Wales, was expected to bring a 16-fold increase in Britain’s capacity to make artillery shells, replenishing dwindling stock and increasing supplies for Ukraine.

Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died after an incident at one of the UK’s largest army training ranges, the MoD confirms

A British army officer has died after an incident during live fire training in Northumberland, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on Sunday after the incident at Otterburn Training Area, one of the UK’s largest army training ranges.

Inquiry into enlistment medical examinations has been expanded from army to also include navy and RAF

More than 500 people have contacted police investigating sexual abuse that allegedly took place during armed services medical examinations over almost 50 years.

The investigation was launched after reports about the abuse of some recruits at army enlistment medical examinations but its scope has been expanded to include the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.