The UK is set to deploy extra troops to the Middle East in an effort to bolster defences for UK allies facing Iranian attacks from the skies.
On a trip to Gulf nations, defence secretary John Healey said additional air defence teams and systems have arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait, and outlined plans to deploy an air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets’ action in Qatar – despite the prime minister’s repeated insistence that the UK will not be dragged into the wider war.
News of the bolstered defence capabilities comes just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Sir Keir Starmer and other allies that the “US won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us”, after they refused to join US strikes on Iran.
But on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain – countries which have borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliatory action – Mr Healey said that “Britain’s best” will help protect partners and allies in the region.
While Mr Healey wouldn’t give details on the exact numbers of troops being sent, it is understood the fresh deployment will bring the UK’s military presence across the Middle East to around 1,000 troops.
The defence secretary said Britain would deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system to Saudi Arabia this week, along with a Royal Artillery battery and battle space managers who operate the system.
The defence system, composed of radars, control node, and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft, and will be integrated into broader Saudi and regional air defences, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
“Iran’s aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East,” Mr Healey said.
“That’s why the UK has been flying defensive missions since day one of this conflict to protect British interests and allies – and today we’re delivering further support by extending our UK jets in Qatar and deploying extra air defence 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: Britain’s best will help you defend your skies.”
As he met UK troops at Qatar’s Dukhan airbase, the defence secretary confirmed British Typhoons will continue their action in Qatar and thanked pilots who have been conducting flying missions in the region since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran more than a month ago.
The Royal Air Force’s joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar deployed to the Gulf in January amid rising tensions in the region, and Sir Keir announced the dispatch of four more of the fighter jets to the state earlier this month.
British pilots operating Typhoon, F-35, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters have exceeded more than 1,280 flying hours in the Middle East, according to the MoD.
“I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf in protecting their nations,” Mr Healey said on his trip. We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict.”
On Tuesday, Mr Trump launched yet another scathing attack on Britain’s response to the outbreak of war in the region.
The US President told the UK and other countries which did not take part in the initial strikes on Iran to “get your own oil”, telling them they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves.
He also directly attacked Sir Keir’s government for having “refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran” and told it to “start learning how to fight for yourself”.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote on Truth Social
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.”
Later, his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, hit out at the Royal Navy, and said: “It is not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.”
Asked about Mr Trump’s criticisms of Britain, the defence secretary said: “The prime minister has been consistent: we won’t get drawn into the wider war, and throughout this conflict we’ve been consistent in taking decisions in Britain’s interests because we need to defend our people and we want to defend our allies in the region.
“The discussion throughout the last couple of days with these Gulf leaders make it really clear – they underline how valued Britain’s defensive help is, and they also underline the fact that they judge us by our actions and not our words.”
Speaking from the Gulf on Tuesday, Mr Healey also said that the UK’s Lightweight Multirole Launcher has arrived in Bahrain, supported by a team of UK experts who will help integrate the short-range air defence system into Bahraini defences.
Rapid Sentry, a ground-based short-range missile launching weapon, is now in Kuwait, where the RAF’s counter‑drone Orcus system is also allowing soldiers to detect Iran’s Shahed drones early.
The defence secretary met the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain and defence leaders from all three nations during his trip.
They discussed the conflict, further UK-Gulf co-operation on regional security, and Iran’s selective blockade of the vital oil and gas shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, which, alongside its attacks on Gulf nations, has sent global energy prices soaring.
