- Further vital air defence support for Gulf partners has been
confirmed by Defence Secretary MP as he visits the Middle
East.
- The UK announces it will send Sky Sabre to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, extend UK Typhoons in Qatar and that air defence
teams and systems have now deployed to Bahrain and Kuwait.
- Defence Secretary praises Gulf leaders and UK Armed Forces
and tells partners that “Britain's best” are helping to support
them in defending their skies from Iranian attacks.
Vital air defences from the UK are being deployed to the Middle
East to further support Gulf partners from Iran's aggressive
missiles and drone attacks which continue across the
region.
As part of the UK's action in the collective defence of allies,
without getting drawn into the wider war, the Defence Secretary
is visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.
Defence Secretary MP held detailed discussions on
the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, and further UK-Gulf
cooperation on regional security as the war enters its second
month. The Defence Secretary recognised partners' exceptional
professionalism and resolve in the face of sustained attacks, and
their tireless work to protect civilian life and to safeguard
foreign – including British – nationals in the Gulf. Healey met
with the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain and defence leaders
from all three nations.
The unique joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron has been flying since
day one of the conflict in joint defensive operations against
incoming Iranian attacks. The Defence Secretary confirmed
today that he has extended the deployment of UK Typhoon jets to
Qatar, as he visited UK Armed Forces at Dukhan air base to thank
them for their courage and professionalism. Healey met with
pilots who have been part of the flying missions day and night
over Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and the UAE to support
regional security. He praised the excellent work of all the
armed forces and authorities of Gulf partners in protecting their
countries and citizens.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Defence Secretary confirmed
to the Defence Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin
Salman Al Saud his decision to deploy Sky Sabre there. The
deployment follows a successful recce by a UK team, and the
equipment and teams will deploy this week including radars,
control node, and missile launchers and a Royal Artillery battery
and battle space managers to operate the system. The system will
be integrated into wider Saudi and regional air defences.
The visit comes as Iran continues its aggressive missile and
drone campaign against civilian infrastructure, military sites
and critical national assets across the Gulf, with more than
3,500 missiles and drones fired to date.
The UK's Lightweight Multirole Launcher is now in Bahrain the
Defence Secretary also announced today, supported by a team of UK
experts who will help integrate the short-range air defence
system into Bahraini defences.
Rapid Sentry – a ground-based air defence missile system – has
arrived in Kuwait and the RAF's ORCUS system is operating in the
country, allowing personnel to detect drones early and take
action. The UK's enhanced support is a clear demonstration of
Britain delivering on its promise to support regional
partners.
The UK has been flying defensive missions in the region from day
one of the war to protect British interests and British allies -
after the Defence Secretary pre-deployed Typhoons to the region
in January and sent extra jets at the start of the month.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“Iran's aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and
interests in the Middle East. That's why the UK has been flying
defensive missions since day one of this conflict to protect
British interests and allies – and today we're delivering
further support by extending our UK jets in Qatar and deploying
extra air defence teams and systems to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.
"I am proud of the courage and professionalism our
Armed Forces have shown since the start of the war and my message
to Gulf partners is: Britain's best will help you defend your
skies. I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of our partners
across the Gulf in protecting their nations. We will stand by our
long-term parters in the Middle East and continue to push for a
swift resolution to this conflict.”
The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK will not be drawn
into the wider war. Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out
across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a
threat to British interests and British allies. That is why this
government has given permission to the US to use British bases
for specific and limited defensive operations including degrading
missile sites being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Defence Secretary also revealed today that UK pilots
operating Typhoon, F-35, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters have now
racked up more than 1,280 hours protecting British nationals,
British bases and partners in the Middle East.
The UK recently announced that additional LMMs have been procured
for UK Armed Forces and allies in the region, part of a wider
piece of work to ensure UK industry steps up at this critical
time. The UK's Taskforce Sabre brings together industry and
government to support Gulf states with rapid procurement of the
systems and weapons they need.
