Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Debate between Baroness Antrobus and Lord Mohammed of Tinsley

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend Lord Robertson for his thoughts on Saudi Arabia’s predicament. Our priorities remain to condemn the action of the Houthis, support our Saudi Arabian allies and help to protect the civilians on the ground. There are British nationals involved and at risk, and we are communicating with British civilians in the area. I would encourage any civilians there to ensure that they are registered for alerts. As well as with the immediate response to a critical incident, which demonstrates in many ways—I would say this, would I not?—the way in which air power can react so quickly to changing and moving situations, there is a longer-term need for diplomatic solutions; military solutions will not end this. Those are all reasons which have led to our providing support to Saudi Arabia.

[Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (LD)]

In terms of other defence partners with Saudi Arabia, particularly the Mecca joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, how does the UK deployment interact and co-operate with that agreement and its deployment to support Saudi Arabia in its defence?

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

As the noble Lord probably knows, the Mecca countries—Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia—have met and had discussions. That is a completely separate alliance from our own; our conversations are with allies in the region and other allies that are also offering support. There have been reports of France and Italy offering support, although I cannot confirm—it is not my place to do so—what that will be. The conversations are across different Governments and different departments, and they will continue, as the noble Lord would expect.