Arabic version: طائرات RAF تستهدف الطائرات بدون طيار بينما تستعد القوات المسلحة البريطانية للنشر
According to BBC News,
RAF Typhoon fighter jets have taken out two drones in the Middle East, according to Defence Secretary John Healey. One drone was taken out over Jordan, while the other was heading to Bahrain. Additionally, Healey announced that the warship HMS Dragon would set sail for the Eastern Mediterranean in the next couple of days.
The HMS Prince of Wales, one of the UK’s aircraft carriers, is currently on an advanced state of readiness, allowing it to set sail within five days if ordered. However, reports indicate that the carrier is more likely to participate in long-planned NATO exercises in the Arctic rather than head to the Middle East. Although a decision on its deployment has not been finalized, speculation arose after the carrier was placed on high alert.
President Trump reacted to the potential deployment, expressing his disinterest in UK military assistance through a post on Truth Social. The UK has allowed its bases to be used for defensive actions against Iranian missile strikes, despite not participating in the initial US strikes on Iran.
The Ministry of Defence is increasing the preparedness of the HMS Prince of Wales but has not made a decision regarding its deployment to the Mediterranean. Recent drone attacks on UK bases have raised concerns, particularly after a small drone struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, causing what the MoD described as “minimal damage.” Healey stated that the drone came from Lebanon or Iraq, with the Ministry of Defence analyzing its fragments for foreign military hardware.
Criticism has emerged regarding the perceived delay in the UK’s military response to threats against Cyprus. Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge questioned the timing of sending HMS Dragon to the region, while Healey defended the government’s ongoing military buildup in the Middle East since January, which includes the deployment of Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets, air defence systems, and an additional 400 personnel into Cyprus.
