UK forces have increased counter-drone activity in the Middle East, with a ground-based unit downing Iranian drones and air defence systems reinforced across the region, according to Ministry of Defence update.
A UK counter-drone unit operating in a high-threat environment shot down multiple Iranian drones over successive nights, including one engagement confirmed on 25 March. The previous day, British troops intercepted 14 “kamikaze” drones in a single night, described as the highest number downed in one engagement.
The activity comes alongside continued RAF operations, with Typhoon and F-35 aircraft flying defensive missions over Cyprus, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. UK pilots have now logged more than 850 flying hours in the region since the start of the current conflict, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Additional air defence assets have also been deployed, including British Army Sky Sabre systems arriving in Cyprus, while Rapid Sentry systems have been sent to Kuwait and Lightweight Multiple Launchers are due to be deployed to Bahrain. HMS Dragon has also arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean to integrate with allied air and missile defence efforts.
The UK also says that it will be working with partners to safeguard international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with senior military officials engaging the merchant shipping industry as part of efforts to manage risks to maritime traffic in the region.
So….Sky Sabre confirmed.
We protect mainly these very rich countries at our expense, i get the politics of it and protecting our few bases but who foots the bill, as there is open reports of the cost eating in the DIP, most likely thats just spin to cover how weak the DIP might be. Why can’t this rich nations defend them selves and the water way, why do we have do it for them?.
We’re not doing it for them, they also defend themselves and indeed have more GBAD than we do!
As we are seen as a major power, the optics are important. That we are there and seen to be involved and helping. We have a long history of alliance with Jordan, for example.
Allies are important. Our SF access those countries, just leaving them to it isn’t an option.
Of course, it also allows HMG to grandstand.
As a P5, G7 member, we SHOULD be there, the farce starts when our actual military contribution doesn’t match HMGs rhetoric, as seen by our inability to send a T45 for so long as not a single ship was available.
And that we lack effective layered GBAD. Those assets we are using there are for the Field Army.
Now what if 3 Division is engaged tomorrow? Where do 12RA and 16RA go? How many places at once?
Questions far beyond the competency of HMG…..
That would be the immediate answer but practically it’s not selfish. Our economy and that of the world relies on the vast oil/gas reserves these countries have, since the price we pay at the pump or in our energy bills are linked to the global rate. Trying to make sure that the infustructure isn’t damaged thanks to this pointless war is going to massively help the cost of living for everyone in the UK in the medium term. But first we need trump to find a way to exit the war.
Those reports are fictitious then, because whenever something like this happens it’s funded from a separate Treasury contingency budget, not the MoD’s.
We get a lot of what we need via “the water way” – it’s called the Straits of Hormuz.
I have to say if the defense invest plan thing doesn’t have a significant line about buying additional air defences, it will be a national disgrace.