UK sends more troops to Middle East to defend Gulf allies against Iran’s ‘aggressive’ attacks
Britain is preparing to deploy extra troops to the Middle East to strengthen the defenses of its allies as they face Iranian attacks from the skies.
During his visit to the Gulf states, Defense Secretary John Healey said additional air defense teams and systems had arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait and outlined plans to deploy an air defense missile system in Saudi Arabia and expand the action of UK Typhoon jets in Qatar, despite the prime minister’s insistence that the UK would not be dragged into a wider war.
News of the strengthening of defense capabilities came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Sir Keir Starmer and other allies that “the US will not be there to help you, just like you are not there for us” after they refused to join US attacks on Iran.
But during a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain – the countries that have suffered the brunt of Iranian retaliatory action – Mr Healy said the “best of Britain” would help protect partners and allies in the region.
While Mr Healey did not provide details on the exact number of troops deployed, it is understood the new deployment will increase Britain’s military presence in the Middle East to around 1,000 troops.
Britain will deploy the Sky Saber air defense missile system to Saudi Arabia this week, along with the Royal Artillery battery and battlefield managers operating the system, the defense secretary said.
According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the defense system, which consists of radars, control node and missile launchers, will be able to intercept munitions and aircraft and will be integrated into wider Saudi and regional air defences.
“Iran’s aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East,” Mr. Healey said.
“That is why the UK has been conducting defense missions to protect British interests and allies since the first day of this conflict, and today we are providing further support by expanding our UK jets to Qatar and deploying extra air defense 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 this: Britain’s best will help you defend your skies.”
As he met British troops at Qatar’s Dukhan air base, the defense minister confirmed that British Typhoons would continue operations in Qatar and thanked pilots who have been flying missions in the region since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran more than a month ago.
The Royal Air Force’s joint Typhoon fleet with Qatar deployed to the Gulf in January at a time of rising tensions in the region, and Sir Keir announced four more fighter jets would be sent to the state earlier this month.
British pilots flying Typhoon, F-35, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters have accumulated more than 1,280 flying hours in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Defence.
“I appreciate the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf to protect their nations,” Mr. Healey said during his trip. “We will stand with our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to press for a rapid resolution to this conflict.”
On Tuesday, Mr Trump launched another scathing attack on Britain’s response to the war that has erupted in the region.
The US President told Britain and other countries not involved in the initial attacks on Iran to “buy their own oil” and told them they should try to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves.
He also directly attacked Sir Keir’s government for “refusing to get involved in the decapitation of Iran”, telling it to “start learning how to fight for yourself”.
“For all the countries like the UK that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, that refuse to participate in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: No. 1, buy from the US, we have plenty of it, and No. 2, muster up your overdue courage, go to the Strait and just ACCEPT,” he wrote on Truth Social
“You will have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the United States will no longer be there to help you, just like you are not there for us.”
Later defense secretary Pete Hegseth attacked the Royal Navy, saying: “It’s not just the US Navy. Last I checked, there’s supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy ready to do this sort of thing too.”
Asked about Mr Trump’s criticism of Britain, the defense secretary said: “The Prime Minister has been consistent: we will not be drawn into a wider war, and we have been consistent throughout this conflict in making decisions in Britain’s interests because we need to defend our people and we want to defend our allies in the region.”
“Discussions with Gulf leaders over the last few days make this clear; they underline how much British defense assistance is valued, but also underline the fact that they judge us by our actions, not our words.”
Speaking from the Gulf on Tuesday, Mr Healey also said the UK’s Light Multi-Purpose Launcher had arrived in Bahrain, supported by a team of British experts who will help integrate the short-range air defense system into Bahrain’s defence.
The land-based short-range missile launcher Rapid Sentry is currently based in Kuwait, where the RAF’s counter-drone Orcus system also allows soldiers to detect Iran’s Shahed drones early.
During his trip, the defense minister met with the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain and the defense leaders of the three countries.
They discussed the conflict, UK-Gulf cooperation on regional security and Iran’s selective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping route, which has driven up global energy prices alongside its attacks on Gulf states.
