The UK will provide additional defensive military support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, given escalating Houthi attacks in the region.
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Operational Update, Whitehall, 20 October 2026: The UK will fly defensive counter air missions to support the protection of Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure against aerial attack, using RAF Typhoon fighter jets. These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis. The UK will provide an RAF A400M to support the movement of defence materiel within Saudi Arabia, alongside UK military advisers to support Saudi staff officers.
This support builds on the UK’s existing defensive military contribution to Saudi Arabia, including the deployment of air defence equipment to protect against missiles and drone attacks. It also includes an extension of air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi defensive air operations including to degrade Houthi military targets in Yemen that threaten the Saudi and Yemeni people.
The Houthis’ attempts to destabilise the region and undermine the security and stability of the Middle East are unacceptable. This reckless behaviour deepens Yemen’s already devastating humanitarian crisis, and it is in the UK’s national economic and security interest that they do not succeed.
Escalating violence in the Gulf can have a serious impact at home in the UK – driving up the cost of living, disrupting energy supplies and costs to British businesses. It is also causing devastation to the civilian population in Yemen. We unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks on civilian targets like King Khalid International Airport and are clear that Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen have the right to defend themselves.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable. The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region.
“That’s why today I have approved further UK military support. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles. This builds on the UK equipment and personnel we already have in the country to defend against Houthi air attacks.”
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