WW1 to Houthis: British jets for Saudi Arabia build on long military bond
Summary
The UK will send Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia from missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group. This support is defensive, with no planned attacks by UK jets, and continues a long military partnership that began during World War I.Key Facts
- The UK is deploying Typhoon fighter jets, an A400M transport aircraft, and military advisers to Saudi Arabia.
- The jets are for defense only and will not attack the Houthi group.
- The Houthis are launching missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, targeting places like oil facilities and Riyadh’s main airport.
- The UK and Saudi Arabia have had a military partnership since 1915, starting with a treaty during World War I.
- Saudi Arabia began buying British military equipment in the 1960s, including fighter jets and radar systems.
- In the 1960s, the UK considered sending a fighter squadron to support Saudi Arabia during Yemen’s civil conflict but ended up selling jets with civilian pilots.
- BAE Systems, a British defense company, has been involved with Saudi military contracts since 1966 and was named prime contractor in 1973.
- The current UK deployment builds on these longstanding military ties amid ongoing conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis.
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