UK boosts military readiness, supports Gulf partners amid tensions

05/05/2026

LONDON, May 5: The UK Ministry of Defence said British military aircraft continue to operate across the region at high readiness, as part of efforts to protect national interests and support allies amid ongoing tensions.

In a statement, the ministry said UK pilots and aircrew have logged more than 2,400 flying hours since the start of the conflict—equivalent to over 100 days of continuous defensive operations.

It added that the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) remains a key source of verified maritime security information, providing timely alerts to vessels navigating the Middle East.

The UK also confirmed that ground-based air defence systems are deployed at elevated readiness levels across the Gulf, including the Sky Sabre system in Saudi Arabia, the Lightweight Multirole Launcher in Bahrain, and Rapid Sentry and ORCUS systems in Kuwait.

The measures are part of broader efforts to bolster regional security and ensure the safety of key maritime and strategic routes.