Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Debate between Baroness Antrobus and Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

We keep the list of proscribed organisations under review. It is the Government’s long-standing position not to comment on whether or not a specific organisation is being considered for proscription. Decisions to proscribe are taken only after a rigorous process, in close consultation with operational partners, based on the best available intelligence and a careful assessment against the statutory tests set out in the Terrorism Act 2000.

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

My Lords, the alliance between this country and Saudi Arabia is very important, and all the training that goes on between our military units is also important. In discussing the deployment of Typhoon fighters, can the Minister comment on anything else in terms of the alliance that we would deploy, if necessary, to deal with these Iranian-backed terrorists?

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right to comment on the long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Indeed, I served in that country—more than 20 years ago, so that shows how old I am. We have agreed to work with the Saudis in providing the Typhoons, which we have discussed already, and an RAF A400M, which will support movement of defence matériel within Saudi Arabia. We already deployed air defence equipment and UK personnel to help protect Saudi Arabia against earlier missile and drone strikes. As the noble Lord will know, I am sure, there have been military personnel embedded within Saudi Arabia for many years, but there are additional advisers being provided as we see appropriate.