The UK is sending four additional Typhoon jets to join its squadron in Qatar in response to the growing conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told a press conference on Thursday.
“Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities are arriving in Cyprus tomorrow,” he added.
The PM said he was “satisfied that we can keep our people safe” as he faced questions about the UK’s preparedness over the conflict, which sparked on Saturday as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
Since then, the Islamic Republic has launched retaliatory strikes on Israel and on US military sites and other facilities in several allied Gulf countries.
Asked about criticism that the government’s approach had been marked by indecision, prevarication and a lack of preparedness, the prime minister said Britain “started pre-deploying to the region in January and February, particularly to Cyprus and Qatar”.
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