Britain to send RAF refuelling tanker to bolster Saudi air defences
Britain is to deploy an RAF Voyager plane to Saudi Arabia to provide air-to-air refuelling support for fighter jets defending against the barrage of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels . The move will allow for longer missions by Saudi fighters on patrol and follows a request from Riyadh for military support. The Voyager, expected to be based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, is set to begin…
The United Kingdom plans to dispatch an RAF Voyager aircraft to Saudi Arabia to assist with air-to-air refuelling for fighter jets combating the Houthis, a rebel group backed by Iran. This deployment aims to extend the operational range of Saudi fighter jets and prolong their missions over Yemen. Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed the agreement to Saudi Arabia's request for military support, emphasizing that it would be a time-limited commitment lasting several weeks.
The UK's involvement adheres to international humanitarian laws, focusing on defensive actions against the Houthis, including shooting down drones and missiles. Aviation expert Tim Ripley noted that the refuelling aircraft would enhance Saudi fighters' endurance in combat missions and over Saudi Arabia, allowing for more effective drone interception.
However, Ripley cautioned that this deployment would only offer a marginal improvement to Saudi Arabia's military capabilities. The situation in Yemen has escalated with the Houthis launching numerous drone and ballistic missile attacks, targeting key areas such as Riyadh and Red Sea coast energy infrastructure. Furthermore, the UK recently joined the US in conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to their aggression against commercial shipping and a Royal Navy warship in January 2024.
The current deployment is strictly defensive and not indicative of a new British combat operation in Yemen.
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