London: The UK will provide Saudi Arabia with limited defensive air-to-air refuelling support after intensified attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of United Kingdom approved the assistance following a request from Saudi Arabia. The decision was made on the advice of Wes Streeting, Defence Secretary and Ed Miliband, Foreign Secretary. The arrangement is time limited and is expected to last for several weeks initially.
The support is expected to begin in the coming days and will involve a single Royal Air Force (RAF) Voyager aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. British officials have described the mission as defensive. The aircraft will provide air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets involved in defensive operations against incoming Houthi missiles and drones.
Saudi Arabia has faced a series of Houthi attacks involving drones and ballistic missiles. The Houthis noted that the attacks targeted Riyadh and energy facilities along the Saudi Red Sea coast. One missile targeting Riyadh was intercepted earlier this month.
The Houthis are fighting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. The conflict continues in different phases since 2014. The latest escalation was taken place alongside the wider confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Burnham linkes the decision to protecting British and regional interests. The UK government also highlighted concerns over potential disruption to important energy and shipping routes. The Red Sea is a major trade corridor and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the waterway with the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis also seized the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island. The locations sit close to important maritime routes and have increased concerns about the security of commercial shipping through the Red Sea.
The RAF Voyager belongs to a core fleet of 9 aircraft. The fleet includes 8 military-registered aircraft and 1 civilian-registered aircraft. The RAF also has 5 additional aircraft available for military recall if required.
Britain already has a defence relationship with Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, the UK deployed its Sky Sabre air defence system to Saudi Arabia to help protect against Iranian missile attacks during the wider conflict with Iran.
The latest deployment is separate from earlier British and US strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. In January 2024, Britain joined the US in air strikes after Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and other targets. Further joint strikes followed during 2024.
The new arrangement remains limited to defensive air-to-air refuelling. The British government remarked that the assistance will be kept under review.
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