Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Baroness Goldie Excerpts

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

Finally, all partners receiving UK assistance must comply fully with their obligations under international law. We will continue to monitor and assess this compliance as part of our ongoing engagement”.

[Baroness Goldie (Con)]

My Lords, last year the Government authorised offensive action against Houthi targets in response to threats to international security. Last week the Minister in the other place indicated that the RAF Typhoon aircraft will operate solely in a defensive role. May I ask the Minister why the Government have reversed their position? Does such weakness not encourage an escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi civilian infrastructure, with consequential risk to international security?

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Antrobus) (Lab)]

It is good to see the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, in the Chamber, and I welcome her back. She is referring to activities that took place where RAF jets conducted a small number of precision strikes between January and August 2025 alongside US partners, separate from the larger US Operation Rough Rider. The situation this time is that we are responding to what the Saudi Arabian Government have asked us to help with. As she says, we are providing defensive air support within Saudi Arabia to protect cities, populations and critical national infrastructure. That frees up capacity for the Saudis to then prosecute their targets. The RAF presence is designed to prevent drones and missile attacks. That is what has been asked for, and that is what we have provided.