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      Thomas Harding

      Thomas Harding

      Security and Policy Editor
      Location
      London
      Thomas Harding is the security and policy editor covering Westminster politics and European affairs. He has reported extensively on the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the British parliament. Before joining The National in 2020, he was a special adviser to the UK defence secretary, working on policy and communications in the Ministry of Defence. He was also defence correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, covering the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. He has a degree in international history.
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      Articles

      A North Sea oil platform close to the Jackdaw gas field that is now expected to be given the green light. Photo: Equinor
      UK set to approve new gasfield in North Sea amid fuel shortage concerns

      Energy Secretary Ed Miliband 'minded' to give development green light as Labour responds to impact of war

      UKApril 03, 2026
      The Harrier autonomous minesweeper is set to be used to find Iranian mines in the Gulf. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence
      UK's next-generation minehunter drones will patrol Strait of Hormuz

      Minister makes summit pledge to tackle threats in waterway after war

      UKApril 02, 2026
      A US Navy taskforce of the kind that Gen Richards has suggested is needed with multinational support to open the Strait of Hormuz. AFP
      Only might on Nato scale can reopen Strait of Hormuz, says former UK military chief

      David Richards worries that Washington's plans for coalition are too tentative

      MENAMarch 31, 2026
      Assault hovercraft could be used for an operation to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: US Navy
      Pentagon has options for Kharg Island and unlocking the Strait of Hormuz

      US soldiers on Iranian territory under consideration, says President Donald Trump

      MENAMarch 31, 2026
      As some petrol stations run short of fuel in London and elsewhere in the UK, Keir Starmer is hosting a meeting of energy chiefs. PA
      Keir Starmer to meet energy chiefs as fears of UK fuel shortage grow

      Prime Minister hosts round-table at Downing Street as Britain told to prepare for knock-on effects of Iran war disruption

      UKMarch 30, 2026
      US Marines training for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare, which they could face in Iran. US Marine Corps
      US troops drill on deck for contamination warfare in Iran

      US forces heading by sea and air to the region where the spillover risk from Iran has risen, according to IAEA

      MENAMarch 27, 2026
      RAF Akrotiri is one of two British sovereign bases in Cyprus. Reuters
      Future of UK airbases in Cyprus raised by leaders

      RAF bases to remain British sovereign territory but president wants negotiations after Iran attack

      UKMarch 25, 2026
      The Ministry of Defence headquarters in Whitehall where Middle East ambassadors have met ministers for defensive assistance. Getty
      UK says defence diplomacy is key in Gulf response to Iran's indiscriminate attacks

      Minister tells The National that Britain will consider all requests for defensive assistance

      UKMarch 24, 2026
      A short-range interceptor, which could be used to defend against a ballistic missile attack, is fired. Photo: Ministry of Defence
      Play00:26
      Starmer to spend billions to get UK on 'war footing'

      UK Prime Minister due to host emergency meeting on Monday to address war's economic fallout

      UKMarch 23, 2026
      The Thaad missile system will be upgraded with a long-range discrimination radar, alongside its fire control and launch systems, in the UAE after the US deal. Bloomberg
      What's in the major $8bn US arms package bolstering UAE defences?

      Top-range radar and new counter-drone systems to help protect Emirates against Iranian attacks

      MENAMarch 20, 2026
      Assault hovercraft could be used for an amphibious assault to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: US Navy
      How US marines could be deployed to take the Strait of Hormuz

      With a specialist unit on its way to the Gulf, experts explain how American boots on the ground could be used

      MENAMarch 20, 2026
      A British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jet bound for Qatar. PA
      Play00:19
      ExclusiveUK's military hardware 'was ready' for Iran war, says Middle East minister

      UK-Gulf ties have deepened with assistance in anti-drone defences, Hamish Falconer tells The National

      MENAMarch 19, 2026
      A Royal Navy Wildcat equipped with Martlet missiles that could soon be exported to Gulf states. AFP
      UK buys missiles for Gulf allies' battle against Shaheds

      Envoys based in UK hold round table with British defence firms to speed up export licences

      UKMarch 18, 2026
      Sting interceptor drones have been developed in Ukraine. Reuters
      Sting, Hydra and Hellfire: The cheap interceptors primed to take out Iran's Shahed drones

      An array of counter-drone weaponry is potentially available in the Middle East to counter the Shahed threat

      GulfMarch 18, 2026
      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UK parliament on Tuesday. AFP
      Zelenskyy offers 1,000 drone interceptors a day to Gulf states

      More than 200 Ukrainians experts helping countries to fight Iran’s Shahed attacks

      MENAMarch 17, 2026
      More Articles

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