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UK Deploys Typhoon Fighter Jets to Protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi Attacks
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Moneycontrol•20-10-2026, 17:36
UK Deploys Typhoon Fighter Jets to Protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi Attacks
- •Britain is deploying Royal Air Force Typhoon jets to fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia against Houthi missile and drone threats.
- •The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the aircraft will protect cities and critical infrastructure but will not carry out offensive strikes.
- •British military support also includes an RAF Atlas A400M transport aircraft, military advisers, and an extended 90-day agreement for an RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft.
- •The escalation follows repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and vital oil facilities.
- •London continues to maintain that its assistance is purely defensive while reiterating support for a UN-led political solution in Yemen.
Key Questions Answered
The Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia to protect cities and critical infrastructure from Houthi missile and drone attacks, though they will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.
Britain's previous agreement to provide an RAF Voyager aircraft for air-to-air refuelling of Saudi jets has been extended by another 90 days.
A Houthi missile strike on a military training camp in Yemen's southern province of Shabwa killed 73 recruits and wounded more than 200 others.
