UK sending four extra Typhoon jets to Qatar, PM Starmer says

2026-03-05 - 18:44

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional ​Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to ‌Qatar as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence. Britain’s ​cautious response to the Iran crisis and ​a drone attack on its key military base ⁠in Cyprus have led to doubts among ​partners about its military effectiveness. U.S. President Donald Trump ​has also criticised Starmer for failing to provide sufficient support for his strikes on Iran. Starmer told a press conference Britain ​had the right plan and had already ​been pre-deploying military equipment across the region before the start ‌of ⁠the war. “My focus is providing calm, level headed leadership in the national interest,” Starmer said. “That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our ​people, and ​it means ⁠having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles, ​no matter the pressure to do otherwise.” He ​said ⁠Britain was sending four additional typhoon jets to join the squadron in Qatar to strengthen our defensive operations there and ⁠in ​the region. “We have the right ​plan for defence,” he said.