UK aircraft from RAF Akrotiri “did not engage targets”, Defence Ministry says
The UK Ministry of Defence has provided details about the ‘role’ British forces played in Tuesday’s operation over Israel during Iran’s ballistic missions attack, as the Defence Secretary John Healey had disclosed on Tuesday.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry confirms that ‘two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.’
The said aircraft are stationed in RAF Akrotiri, one of the military bases the UK has in Cyprus.
The Ministry added that the involvement demonstrated the UK’s ‘unwavering commitment’ to Israel’s security, although ‘due to the nature of this attack, they did not engage any targets, but they played an important part in wider deterrence and efforts to prevent further escalation.’
Typhoon fighters do not have the capability to strike down ballistic missiles, like the ones Iran used on Tuesday against Israel. Their missiles can hit drones, however, and that is why they h
ad a more active role in defending Israel during April’s attach by Iran, when drones had been used.
The Defence Secretary has thanked the British personnel involved in the response and today he has been visiting the bases. He has also had a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas.
The two men discussed the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East and Cyprus’s ‘welcome support for contingency operations’, according to the Defence Ministry in London.
Source: Cyprus News Agency