Iran conflict 2026: UK sends additional Typhoons to bolster Qatar's air defence

The UK is sending four more Typhoons to Qatar to add to the four already providing emergency air-defence duties for the emirate. (Crown Copyright)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the deployment of an additional four Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft to bolster the air defence of Qatar.

Announced on 5 March, the move will see the aircraft join four from the joint Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF)-Royal Air Force (RAF) 12 Squadron that are already in the emirate.

“Today, we can confirm we are sending four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar to support defensive operations in the region. These aircraft are in addition to the existing jets from the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron that we deployed in January to reinforce regional security and protect British people and interests. The message is clear: the UK will stand by its allies and will take the necessary steps to defend our people and our interests,” the MoD said.

It is unclear from the announcement if these additional Typhoons will also come from 12 Sqn, or if they will be drawn from other RAF units at either RAF Coningsby (the home of 12 Sqn) in England or RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

The MoD did not disclose when the additional Typhoons will arrive in Qatar.

News of the bolstered deployment came days after a 12 Sqn Typhoon operating out of Qatar successfully intercepted and destroyed an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on 1 March, and a day after RAF Typhoons operating out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus supported Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightnings from the same location in shooting down multiple Iranian UAVs over Jordan (the MoD declined to provide Janes with a number while operations continue).