Britain is deploying short-range air defence systems to the Gulf to help counter Iranian missile attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Monday.
“We’re deploying short-range air defence systems to Bahrain at speed,” Starmer told a parliamentary committee, adding that similar deployments are underway in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The UK is coordinating with industry partners to supply air defence missiles to Gulf allies, who have faced waves of Iranian attacks in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Airspace specialists have also been embedded in the region, Starmer said.
Defence Minister John Healey told parliament that the UK’s Rapid Sentry anti-drone system would be sent to Kuwait.
He described it as a “battle-tested ground-based air defence missile system” proven effective against drones in the region.
A British warship, HMS Dragon, has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus.
The deployment followed criticism over a perceived slow response to a drone attack on Britain’s Akrotiri base after the February 28 U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran.
The UK now maintains more military jets in the region than at any time in the past 15 years and has increased air defence personnel in Cyprus by 500.
UK pilots have logged nearly 900 hours in defence of Cyprus, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE amid Iranian drone attacks.
Britain is permitting U.S. forces to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford for bombing missions targeting Iranian missile sites used against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Healey emphasised the UK’s role in securing the strait to ensure safe and reliable passage of commercial vessels, which carry a large share of the world’s crude oil and gas.
He reported that Iran recently fired two missiles toward Diego Garcia, which did not hit their targets, and “normal operations continue.”
“I totally condemn Iran’s reckless attacks. Iran must stop and de-escalate. We want to see this war end now,” Healey said.
He reassured the public that the UK has the resources and alliances to remain safe from attacks.
