Defending the Skies: British Fighter Jets Engage Hostile Targets Over Jordan and Bahrain
Britain ramps up its Middle East presence as F-35B jets achieve their first aerial victories. RAF Typhoons join the mission to defend Cyprus, Qatar, and the UAE.
The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets are conducting defensive sorties across the Middle East to protect British and allied interests, as tensions escalate in the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war.
The operations, focused on countering Iranian drones and missiles, are taking place in defense of UK Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, as well as allies including Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Recent missions have included shooting down hostile drones, with F-35Bs achieving their first air-to-air victories in RAF service over Jordan and a Typhoon downing a drone headed for Bahrain.
Defence Secretary John Healey described the deployments as a "defensive response" to regional threats, with additional assets like Wildcat helicopters and air-defense systems bolstering UK forces since January.
The UK has stepped up its military presence, including six F-35B Lightning II jets at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and four more Typhoons in Qatar.