LONDON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- British Defense Secretary John Healey said Monday that British forces are "conducting defensive air sorties" in support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as Britain has stepped up military deployments across the Middle East following a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
In an oral statement to the House of Commons, Healey said the British government has moved military assets into the region since January, including Typhoons, F-35 fighter jets, radar systems, counter-drone teams and air-defense capabilities, in what he described as a defensive response aimed at protecting British personnel, bases and allies.
Healey said the third Wildcat helicopter has arrived in Cyprus, and British Typhoon fighter jets have shot down two drones overnight, one over Jordan and another heading toward Bahrain.
"We have now deployed additional RAF (Royal Air Force) air operations experts to more than five countries in the region," he said.
In March 2024, the RAF announced the opening of a permanent British military facility at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, saying the site would help maintain Britain's "freedom of action" and operational resilience in the Gulf.
Britain has also repeatedly used the UAE as a platform for multinational air exercises and coalition coordination.
