UK to Deploy Typhoon Fighter Jets to Defend Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Attacks

The United Kingdom will deploy Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to countermissile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The UK Ministry of Defence announced the deployment.

The fighter jets will perform air defence missions to protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure. The ministry emphasized that the aircraft will be used exclusively for defensive missions and will not conduct strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.

In addition to combat aircraft, London will provide an A400M Atlas military transport aircraft to transport military equipment across the kingdom.

British military advisers will also be deployed to the country to support the operations of Saudi command headquarters.

The UK Defence Secretary said that continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were unacceptable, particularly in light of strikes targeting civilian infrastructure.

“That is why I have approved additional British military support today. RAF Typhoon fighter jets will carry out defensive missions, helping to protect Saudi Arabia’s airspace from drones and missiles,” the minister said.

The new assistance will supplement British air defence systems already deployed in Saudi Arabia to counter missile and drone threats. London will also continue supporting the in-flight refuelling of Saudi combat aircraft.

Militarnyi previously reported that in September, the United Kingdom approved the deployment of an RAF Voyager tanker aircraft (Airbus A330 MRTT) to Saudi Arabia. The aircraft can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel in its internal tanks,enabling combat aircraft to remain airborne for extended periods.

The expansion of the British military presence comes amid a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi territory. In particular, an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 8 destroyed at least one empty passenger aircraft and damaged a terminal.

The attacks led to the cancellation of more than 330 flights at the airport, while at least 223 others were delayed. During the first few days of attacks on the airports in Riyadh and Abha, three people were killed and another 36 were injured.

The escalation is linked to the resumption of large-scale hostilities in Yemen. In September, the Houthis launched an offensive along the Red Sea coast, capturing the strategic port of Mocha. However, in early October, Saudi-backed government forces announced that they had regained control of the city. The Houthis themselves denied losing it.