Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleUK PM Keir Starmer announced on March 5, 2026, that four additional Typhoon fighter jets will be deployed to Qatar for defensive purposes amid rising Middle East tensions; he defended the UK’s military strategy and emphasized calm, principled leadership.
LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - 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.
(Reporting by William James, writing by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton and Michael Holden)
The UK is sending four extra Typhoon jets to Qatar to strengthen defensive operations as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment at a press conference.
The UK has faced criticism for its cautious response to the Iran crisis and doubts about its military effectiveness from partners and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Starmer stated the UK has the right plan for defence, focusing on providing calm, level-headed leadership and deploying both military and diplomatic strength.
The UK has been pre-deploying military equipment across the region before the start of the current hostilities.
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