Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that UK fighter jets will deploy to the Gulf as tensions rise across the Middle East. The announcement followed recent drone attacks and growing regional instability.
Starmer said the government will send four Typhoon aircraft to Qatar. These UK fighter jets will join an existing British squadron already operating in the region. He said the move will strengthen defensive operations across Qatar and nearby areas.
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus to review security measures. His visit came after a drone strike hit a British military facility earlier this week.
An Iranian-made drone struck a hangar at the RAF Akrotiri air base on Monday. British warplanes later detected two additional drones that day. Pilots destroyed both drones before they reached the base.
Healey said conflicts change quickly and require flexible responses. He warned that Iranian drone attacks are becoming more unpredictable. Therefore, the UK continues strengthening its regional defence systems.
Earlier, Healey met Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas to discuss joint security efforts. Both leaders reviewed defence cooperation and regional safety concerns.
However, Cypriot officials criticised Britain’s communication following the drone attacks. Kyriacos Kouros said residents expected clearer information. Many local people felt worried and frustrated by the limited updates.
In response, Starmer announced additional defensive support. Two Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone Martlet missiles will arrive in Cyprus soon. These aircraft will help intercept unmanned aerial threats targeting military facilities.
Furthermore, Britain plans to deploy the advanced destroyer HMS Dragon. The warship can launch several missiles within seconds during air defence operations. Officials expect the vessel to sail to the region next week.
Despite the military deployments, Starmer continues resisting calls for direct involvement in the wider conflict. Opposition politicians claim the government reacted too slowly to the crisis.
Nevertheless, Starmer said Britain already moved radar systems, missiles, and aircraft to the region earlier this year. He stressed that UK fighter jets serve limited defensive purposes.
British aircraft, including Typhoon and F-35B jets, have operated in the Middle East since the conflict began. Those operations started after joint US and Israeli strikes targeted Iran last weekend.
Initially, Starmer rejected requests to join the conflict directly. However, he later allowed limited US military use of British bases for defensive operations.
One base lies in Gloucestershire in western England. Another joint facility operates at Diego Garcia.
Starmer also confirmed that US bombers are not using RAF Akrotiri. Officials reported minimal damage from Monday’s drone strike. Fortunately, the attack caused no casualties among personnel.
As a precaution, authorities relocated families of service members from the base. Security teams continue monitoring potential threats in the region. Meanwhile, the deployment of UK fighter jets highlights Britain’s focus on regional defence and stability.
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