Craig Langford
Craig initially trained as a mechanical engineer, but after a brief and disillusioning stint designing ventilation systems, he pivoted to journalism.
British forces deployed worldwide on Christmas Day
Thousands of British Armed Forces personnel will remain deployed or on standby across the globe on Christmas Day, continuing operations that span Europe, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, British Overseas Territories and the UK itself.
Troops remain on duty over Christmas
Around 19,000 British Armed Forces personnel will remain on duty or on standby over the Christmas period, including large numbers based in Scotland, as the UK maintains military readiness at home and overseas.
MOD cites family life and civilian jobs in troop exits
The Ministry of Defence has said that pressures on family life and opportunities outside the military remain the primary reasons personnel leave the armed forces, despite recent improvements in recruitment and retention.
RAF engineer retention scheme for F-35 costs £113.5m
The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the RAF’s Financial Retention Incentive for engineers supporting the UK’s F-35 Lightning programme is worth approximately £113.5 million.
UK rules out keeping Warrior armoured vehicles in service
The Ministry of Defence has ruled out any extension to the planned withdrawal of the Warrior armoured vehicle, confirming it will leave service in 2027 as scheduled.
Rolls-Royce opens new engine overhaul facility in China
Rolls-Royce has officially opened Beijing Aero Engine Services Limited, a new maintenance, repair and overhaul joint venture with Air China, expanding its global capacity for servicing large civil aircraft engines.
US personnel killed in ISIS ambush during Syria engagement
Two US service members and a US civilian interpreter were killed in Syria on 13 December after an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, according to US Central Command.
MOD points to early gains in retaining military engineers
Ministers say new pay incentives and flexible service terms are beginning to improve retention among engineering and technical specialists, despite continued competition from the civilian labour market.
UK to reach 3% defence spend next Parliament, Healey says
The UK remains committed to meeting NATO’s new defence spending benchmark of 5% of GDP by 2035, with defence spending set to rise to 3% in the next Parliament.
UK space collision warnings rise as activity stays high
Space activity affecting the UK remained elevated in November 2025, with a rise in collision warnings for UK-licensed satellites despite a fall in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, according to a new government report.
