LONDON, October 20, 2026 (DAILYNWZ) — Britain will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets on defensive missions to protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from Houthi drone and missile attacks, expanding military support for Riyadh as violence linked to Yemen’s conflict intensifies.
The British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that the aircraft would operate strictly in a defensive role and would not carry out offensive strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the group’s continued attacks on Saudi Arabia were “absolutely despicable” and warned that the targeting of Riyadh’s airport showed the extent to which the Houthis were escalating the regional situation.
“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,” Streeting said in a statement.
London said Houthi attacks threatened regional stability and risked disrupting energy supplies and trade routes, making the protection of Saudi infrastructure a priority.
The additional deployment follows a request from the Saudi government. Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK was prepared to consider such a request.
Britain will also send an Atlas A400M transport aircraft and military advisers, adding to assistance announced in September. That package included an RAF Voyager aircraft used for air-to-air refuelling but did not include fighter jets.
The expanded support marks a broader British military contribution to Saudi Arabia’s air defences, although London has stressed that the Typhoons will not be used to launch attacks against the Houthis.
Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and other infrastructure have intensified in recent weeks as the conflict in Yemen has escalated.
The violence has also taken a heavy toll inside Yemen. Authorities said a Houthi strike on Monday hit a training camp for security forces backed by Saudi Arabia, killing 58 people.
The latest British deployment comes as the threat to Saudi infrastructure grows, with potential consequences for regional security and the movement of energy supplies and goods. The ministry did not provide further details on the timing or duration of the Typhoon missions.