UK to Provide Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft to Support Saudi Jets Against Houthi Attacks

The UK will provide an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker aircraft to support Saudi Arabian fighter jets in defensive operations against Houthi attacks.

At Riyadh’s request, the British government has approved the deployment of an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker (Airbus A330 MRTT) to Saudi Arabia, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

The air-to-air refuelling tanker will provide in-flight refuelling for Saudi fighter jets involved in intercepting missile and drone attacks.

The aircraft can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel in its internal tanks without additional fuel pods. It can refuel fighter jets using underwing refuelling pods and a fuselage-mounted unit, with either a hose-and-drogue system or a rigid boom.

For transport missions, the air-to-air refuelling tanker can travel more than 14,800 km, carrying up to 291 passengers or around 45 tonnes of cargo.

In March, then-UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment of four additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar.

The aircraft joined a British squadron already deployed in Qatar.