Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Debate between Baroness Antrobus and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab)]

My Lords, I refer to my interests in the register. I support the Minister in the sympathy she expressed for the Saudi people, who are under relentless attack from the Houthis. I also commend the Government on the proportionate support and help that they are giving to Saudi Arabia.

[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.