Asked for the duration and scope of Britain’s defensive military engagement in Saudi Arabia, ministers have directed Parliament to the written statement the Defence Secretary made on 20 October, which commits Royal Air Force aircraft to defensive missions protecting Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure, according to an answer given in Parliament.
James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrat member for Lewes, asked what the duration and scope of the defensive military engagement in Saudi Arabia are.
Louise Sandher-Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary and Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “I refer the hon. Member to the written statement my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary (Wes Streeting) made on 20 October 2026.”
That statement set out a package built around Typhoon fighters flying defensive air missions, with the accompanying operational update confirming that the aircraft will not conduct offensive strikes. An A400M transport will move defence materiel within Saudi Arabia, military advisers will support Saudi staff officers, and existing air to air refuelling support for Saudi defensive air operations is being extended, including for operations against Houthi military sites in Yemen.
Ministers were asked earlier this month whether legal advice had been sought on that refuelling support and declined to say, in keeping with the long-standing convention that the fact and content of law officers’ advice are not disclosed. The Houthis have attacked Saudi territory repeatedly since 2015 and resumed strikes on the Kingdom after a period of relative quiet.
