UK To Deploy Typhoon Jets To Defend Saudi Arabia

The United Kingdom will deploy Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against increasing attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The deployment will focus on protecting Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from aerial attacks by the Iran-backed group, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing Bloomberg and British officials familiar with the matter.

Britain will also provide an Atlas A400M military transport aircraft and military advisers as part of the support package. The UK Ministry of Defence had not immediately commented on the latest report.

The move comes amid renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting key infrastructure. The escalation has raised concerns over regional security and the safety of vital energy and trade facilities.

In September, the British government announced additional defensive military support for Saudi Arabia following a request from Riyadh. That package included an RAF Voyager aircraft to provide air-to-air refuelling support, but did not include fighter jets.

The UK has also provided air defence equipment and personnel to help Saudi Arabia counter missile and drone attacks.

The Houthis have intensified their attacks in recent weeks as fighting across Yemen has escalated. On Monday, Yemeni authorities said a Houthi strike on a government security forces training camp killed 58 people.

Britain has said its support for Saudi Arabia is aimed at protecting civilians, maintaining regional stability and safeguarding trade and energy supplies, while encouraging a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Yemen.