Extra UK troops to help defend Gulf countries against Iranian attacks

Apr 01, 2026

World
Extra UK troops to help defend Gulf countries against Iranian attacks

London [UK], April 1: Extra UK troops are being sent to the Middle East to help the UK's allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks.
On a trip to Gulf nations, British Defence Secretary John Healey announced the UK will deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets' action in Qatar. Additional air defence teams and systems have also arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Healey said "Britain's best" will help protect Gulf partners as he visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.
Sky Sabre - and a Royal Artillery battery and battle space managers who operate the system - will be moved to Saudi Arabia this week. The defence system, composed of radars, control node, and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft. (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune