Britain plans Typhoon defense flights over Saudi Arabia and another 90 days of refueling assistance, saying Houthi attacks threaten Saudi cities while regional instability puts trade and energy supplies at risk.
The Ministry of Defence announced Oct. 20 that Royal Air Force jets would help protect Saudi cities and infrastructure from missiles and drones. It said the Typhoons will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.
The refueling commitment has a separate scope. In a written statement to Parliament, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said British tankers would continue supporting Saudi defensive air operations for a further 90 days. Those operations include action against Houthi military targets in Yemen that Britain says endanger people in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Britain also plans to provide an A400M aircraft to transport defense materiel within Saudi Arabia and send advisers to assist Saudi staff officers. The measures add to British air defense equipment and personnel already in the country.
The expanded role follows a Sept. 22 British pledge to provide a Voyager refueling aircraft after a request from the Saudi government. The new Typhoon mission assigns British fighters to defense over Saudi territory, while the tanker assistance continues to serve Saudi aircraft conducting their own operations.
Streeting linked security around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait to the risk of interrupted shipping and energy supplies. He said those disruptions could increase costs for British households and businesses.
Streeting also pointed to civilian suffering in Yemen and backed a United Nations-led political process. He said Britain would keep its military role under review.
