Craig Langford
Trained as a mechanical engineer, Craig took an unconventional route into journalism, bringing with him a rare technical precision and analytical depth that continues to set his reporting apart.
British guns on US ships but few British ones, MPs told
A British firm's naval guns are fitted to almost all US Navy and Coast Guard ships but hardly any Royal Navy vessels, the Treasury Committee has heard, in an example of domestic capability the UK is said to be overlooking.
UK buying Chinese steel also made in Britain, MPs told
The Ministry of Defence has been criticised for buying standard steel from China that British mills produce, with the head of Make UK Defence calling the practice unacceptable as a new 50 per cent steel tariff approaches.
Claim on defence spending with UK firms questioned
The Ministry of Defence's headline claim that the bulk of its contracts are placed with UK-based businesses has been questioned by industry, which says the figure depends on what counts as a British company.
UK training for Ukraine shifts to specialist skills
Operation Interflex, the UK-led programme that has trained more than 63,000 Ukrainians since 2022, is entering a new phase moving away from mass infantry training towards specialist areas including aviation, medical, engineering and logistics.
No firm in-service date for HMS Venturer
The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, is still only committed to being handed to the Royal Navy "by the end of the decade", a defence minister has said, declining to give a firm initial operating capability date.
Future of Army Reserve training at Grantham unresolved
The Ministry of Defence has said it cannot yet confirm how Army Reserve basic training will be delivered once the Grantham barracks closes, or what any change would cost, pointing to a review of training across the UK due to report in autumn 2026.
Covenant legal duty does not cover RFA staff, minister says
The Armed Forces Covenant does not extend to Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, a defence minister has said, though some who have served on operations may be considered in its spirit.
Over 40 nations join UK-France maritime security effort
The UK and France are leading a multinational effort involving more than 40 countries to protect merchant shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, with Britain committing HMS Dragon, Typhoon jets, autonomous mine-hunting kit and counter-drone systems to a planned defensive mission.
Minister defends Typhoon support amid RAF order calls
The government has defended its support for the Eurofighter Typhoon as MPs pressed for a fresh order of the jets for the Royal Air Force, during defence questions in the House of Commons.
US, Philippine armies open Salaknib 2026 exercise
The United States Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have formally opened Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, marking the start of several weeks of combined training that the two armies describe as a cornerstone of their alliance.
