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.
Base security boosted after Fairford and Molesworth breaches
An additional £470 million over four years will go into protecting defence sites, with security strengthened across the estate following the incidents at RAF Fairford and RAF Molesworth.
Military satellites could be refuelled in orbit
Life extension of the in-service SKYNET 5 military communications satellites would use in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing technologies.
No decisions yet on new RAF jet trainer, says Pollard
The Jet Training System programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Submarine propulsion test facility decision due in 2028
SMITE2, a new submarine propulsion testing facility is in its development phase, with dates for the start of construction and for completion to be agreed at a main investment decision point currently expected in 2028.
Unproductive hours on submarine contract more than halve
The prime contractor on a nuclear submarine contract recorded almost forty thousand unproductive hours in 2025-26, down from more than ninety four thousand the year before.
Seven Challenger 3 tank prototypes delivered for trials
Seven Challenger 3 prototypes have been delivered for the Demonstration Phase trials programme, with an eighth in the final stages of build, and the vehicles are being used to demonstrate and assure the performance and safety of the tank.
Pollard gives figure for Albion class write-down
The remaining economic value written down when the Royal Navy's two landing platform docks left service was about £195 million for HMS Albion and £233 million for HMS Bulwark, a combined figure of roughly £428 million.
Project Shackleton to replace Royal Navy ice patrol ship
Work on replacing HMS Protector is being run under Project Shackleton, and the Defence Investment Plan has allocated funding for a successor to the Royal Navy's ice patrol ship, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Ministers set out who can stop a ship in British waters
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances, according to answers given in Parliament.
Inherited procurement system was broken, says Pollard
The procurement system the government inherited was slow, expensive and not fit for a period of 'warfighting readiness', say the Government.
