On March 31, the UK government issued a statement saying that as tensions in the Middle East persist, the UK will deploy additional air defense forces to the Gulf region, including extending the deployment of Typhoon fighter jets in Qatar and deploying the Sky Sabre air defense system to Saudi Arabia.
The statement noted that Defence Secretary Healey recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, holding talks with leaders and defense officials of the three countries on topics such as the Middle East conflict, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and security cooperation between the UK and Gulf nations.
The UK will deploy the Sky Sabre air defense system to Saudi Arabia, with relevant equipment and operating personnel to be in place this week, including radar, control nodes, missile launchers, and more.
The statement also pointed out that the Lightweight Multirole Missile system has already arrived in Bahrain; the land-based air defense missile system 'Rapid Ranger' has been delivered to Kuwait, and the Royal Air Force's unmanned early warning detection system is already operational in that country.
The statement said that since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran, British forces have been carrying out defensive missions in the region to protect British citizens, military bases, and allied interests.
The statement noted that Prime Minister Starmer has made it clear that the UK does not wish to be drawn into a wider war.