UK to deploy more troops, air defense systems to Middle East: Defense chief

LONDON

The UK will deploy more troops and air defense systems to the Middle East to help the allies against Iranian attacks, the country's defense secretary said Tuesday.

On a trip to the Gulf nations, John Healey said extra air defense teams and systems would be deployed to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait, along with an extension of the use of Typhoon jets in Qatar, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

It noted that as part of the UK’s action in the "collective defense of allies," without getting drawn into the wider war, the Healey is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.

"Defence Secretary John Healey 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," said the statement.

During his visit to the UK Armed Forces at the Dukhan base in Qatar, Healey confirmed that the UK has extended the deployment of UK Typhoon jets to Qatar.

"My message to Gulf partners is: Britain's best will help you defend your skies," said the defense secretary.

In Saudi Arabia, he also confirmed to his Saudi counterpart Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud his decision to deploy Sky Sabre there.

The statement noted that the UK’s Lightweight Multirole Launcher is now in Bahrain, as the defense secretary also announced earlier Tuesday, supported by a team of UK experts who will help integrate the short-range air defense system into Bahraini defenses.

Healey has been visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain as the government announced the deployment of further systems, and associated teams, for each of the three nations, as well as for Kuwait.

Separately, the Defense Ministry said in its daily update that Britain’s Royal Air Force jets operating in a high-threat area successfully downed multiple Iranian drones overnight.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.