The UK has expanded its military presence in the Middle East, with additional aircraft, air defence systems and naval assets deployed as Iranian attacks across the region intensify, Defence Secretary John Healey has said.
Updating MPs, Healey said UK actions are guided by three core principles: “defensive… co-ordination with allies… and ensuring a legal basis for our decisions,” with the overall aim to “protect British people, protect British bases and protect British allies.”
He described Iran as a growing regional threat, stating “Iran is a threat to us all… its attacks across the region are escalating,” and noting that since the start of the conflict it has “fired more than 3,500 ballistic missiles and drones” at targets across 12 countries.
Healey confirmed that two Iranian missiles were launched towards the UK-US base at Diego Garcia, though neither reached their target. “One fell short… the other was brought down… neither got close,” he said, adding that UK forces were not required to respond and operations continue as normal.
The UK had already reinforced its posture prior to the escalation. “Since January… we took significant steps to pre-position Typhoons, F-35s, counter-drone teams, radars and air defences in the region,” Healey said, arguing that these preparations enabled an immediate response once hostilities increased.
Further reinforcements have since been deployed, including additional aircraft, helicopters and a warship. Healey confirmed “HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean” and is integrating into allied air defence efforts around Cyprus.
RAF and Royal Navy aircraft have now flown nearly 900 hours on defensive missions across multiple locations, including Cyprus, Jordan and the Gulf. The UK currently has “more jets in the region than… at any time in the last 15 years,” alongside an additional 500 air defence personnel in Cyprus.
The UK is also working with partners to strengthen regional defences. Healey said the government has established “Taskforce Sabre with industry” to support Gulf states with rapid procurement, with systems including “lightweight multiple launchers” set to be deployed to Bahrain and “Rapid Sentry” air defence systems to Kuwait.
Concerns over maritime security are also growing, with Iran accused of threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Healey said Iran is “holding the strait… hostage by laying mines, targeting ships… and putting lives in danger,” adding that UK planners have been deployed to US Central Command to develop response options.
The UK is also accelerating minehunting and maritime drone capabilities, as part of efforts to secure freedom of navigation alongside allies. Healey said force protection measures across the region remain under constant review, while UK Space Command is monitoring Iranian missile activity and providing early warning to deployed forces.
He added that despite the focus on the Middle East, the UK remains committed to wider defence priorities, including NATO obligations and support to Ukraine, stating “we remain determined to make Britain safer, more secure at home and strong abroad.”
Ahhh, another “MoD Warning” sniffs the air and inhales deeply….
“One fell short… the other was brought down… neither got close,” he said, adding that UK forces were not required to respond and operations continue as normal.
Re Diego Garcia, a good job our forces were “not required to respond” as there is absolutely nothing they could have done even if they were asked. We have virtually no assets in DG beyond NP 1002, which I assume is still there.
“The UK had already reinforced its posture prior to the escalation. “Since January… we took significant steps to pre-position Typhoons, F-35s, counter-drone teams, radars and air defences in the region,” Healey said, arguing that these preparations enabled an immediate response once hostilities increased.
A desperate attempt to deflect the criticism about Akrotiri and the almost non existent RN presence.
Typhoons. Old news, reannounced.
F35. Old news, reannounced.
Counter Drone teams. Old news, reannounced, but how many for context? They won’t say, because we have so few.
Radars. Which? 1 ACC? Giraffes from 16RA?
“Air Defences” Which are? Has it been admitted that Sabre has gone to the SBA’s or not?
“UK Space Command is monitoring Iranian missile activity and providing early warning to deployed forces.”
Via the US I assume, as what assets does UKSC actually have? Can Carbonite 2 or Tyche “monitor Iranian missile activity”?
“and “Rapid Sentry” air defence systems to Kuwait.
Nice to see a final official admittance that it even exists. I thought they were mostly in Iraq at Irbil.
“alongside an additional 500 air defence personnel in Cyprus.”
Additional? Additional to what? What was there before? It is suggested, nothing at all.
“Healey said force protection measures across the region remain under constant review”
FP with WHAT, should you decide to expand? The RN has a handful of escorts to send.
“He added that despite the focus on the Middle East, the UK remains committed to wider defence priorities, including NATO obligations and support to Ukraine, stating “we remain determined to make Britain safer, more secure at home and strong abroad.”
Ahhhh, there it is, the vogue “in” words… safer, secure, strong abroad. They never miss a chance, be it the DS, the PM, or a Minister, to get that spin in.
You might well remain “determined” but the reality is you continue to starve the military of the funds needed to regenerate so you go right ahead with your spin. You were caught with your pants down, in several areas, and luckily for you the damage was minimal when Akrotiri was hit. Your attempts to give away territory while paying though the nose to an ally of China has not been missed, and now the Cypriots are making noises about the SBA, which was not necessary if only the SBAs were clearly well defended from the start, which is deterrence.
Enemies don’t see deterrence with the endless cuts, endless delays, endless prevarication, and endless U turns, they see a government chasing its own tail in reaction to events which is not credible regards the defence of the realm.
To end on a positive, the response from the RAF has been fantastic, given its lack of assets.
As usual a good summary mate👍 rest assured though the HS is going to give France even more money to secure our borders for us and she is demanding more bang for our bucks! Due to their performance to date that shouldn’t be too hard to achieve🤬