UK to fly RAF Typhoon jets on defensive missions over Saudi Arabia
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has approved RAF Typhoon fighter jets to fly defensive counter-air missions protecting Saudi cities and infrastructure from Houthi attacks, in a strictly defensive role with no offensive strikes.
The United Kingdom will fly RAF Typhoon fighter jets on defensive air missions to protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from Houthi attacks, the Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday.
The Typhoons will fly “defensive counter air missions” against aerial attack, the MoD said, operating in a strictly defensive role — they will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis (GOV.UK). The package also includes an RAF A400M transport aircraft and UK military advisers to support Saudi staff officers, plus an extension of air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi defensive air operations.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were “absolutely despicable”, adding: “That’s why today I have approved further UK military support. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.”
The move follows a request from Saudi Arabia’s government, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month Britain was prepared to consider (Reuters). It expands assistance announced in September, which included an RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft but no fighter jets.
The MoD said escalating violence in the Gulf risked driving up the cost of living in the UK and disrupting energy supplies. The announcement came amid intensified Houthi missile and drone strikes in recent weeks, including on oil facilities and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (Al Jazeera).
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