The UK has dispatched 4 extra Hurricane FGR4s, two Wildcat HMA2s, and a Merlin HM2 ASaC in the direction of the Center East to strengthen defences as U.S. strategic bombers start to make use of UK bases for operations in opposition to Iran.
As Kind 45 destroyer HMS Dragon prepares to sail for the Jap Mediterranean, 4 extra Hurricane FGR4s have already arrived in Qatar, and the Wildcat HMA2s which can use Martlet missiles to defend RAF Akrotiri from incoming drones have arrived in theatre.
These extra deployments come as U.S. Air Power strategic bombers start to make use of UK bases, together with RAF Fairford, for Operation Epic Fury sorties. The UK, initially refusing to challenge permission, has now granted consent for sure sorts of missions to be flown from these bases. A single B-1B Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford on Mar. 6, then joined by three extra plane which first flew a fight mission over Iran earlier than heading to the UK. One other single ship B-1 then landed from the U.S. after 1700 UTC.
Extra deployments, together with to Diego Garcia, are anticipated to return, and U.S. transport plane have now begun flying to RAF Fairford from Minot Air Power Base, which operates the B-52 Stratofortress.
The newly deployed Typhoons, from 11 Squadron, left RAF Coningsby on Mar. 6, 2026, and arrived in Qatar later that day. They be part of Typhoons from 12 Squadron, a joint UK/Qatar unit, which had been ahead deployed there in February. For the reason that graduation of the U.S.-Israeli navy motion in opposition to Iran, these 12 Squadron Typhoons have flown fight air patrol sorties and destroyed no less than one Iranian assault drone sure for Qatar.
RAF Coningsby’s Commander Air Wing stated: “Deploying extra Hurricane plane demonstrates the RAF’s potential to reply quickly and reinforce our present air presence within the Center East. Working alongside our companions from 12 Squadron and the Center East, this deployment strengthens our collective functionality and underlines the UK’s enduring dedication to regional safety and stability.”
The the Typhoons flew out to Qatar unarmed, however in theater will make use of deployed shares of Superior Quick Vary Air to Air (ASRAAM) and Meteor missiles. LITENING pods carried on the centreline pylon add a versatile intelligence, surveillance, goal acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operate and so they have turn out to be an virtually everlasting function on combat-equipped Typhoons, even when flying in an air defence function.
On Mar. 7, the Royal Navy additionally started the deployment of a Merlin HM2 outfitted with the Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Management (ASaC) radar system – seen in footage within the folded place, to keep away from it hanging the bottom – to an unspecified Center East location. ZH864 departed RNAS Culdrose as NAVY 012 and traveled south to France for the primary leg of its journey.
It was not acknowledged exactly the place the Merlin can be stationed, although alongside different property at RAF Akrotiri can be logical. Along with the Wildcat helicopters, the Merlin – utilizing altitude and mobility in its favor – can present a extra versatile and longer vary 360-degree early warning functionality in comparison with the everlasting UK operated Kind 101 radar head on Mount Olympus or the Giraffe radar techniques reportedly deployed at Akrotiri itself.
The Crowsnest system is often tasked with offering airborne early warning for the Royal Navy’s plane carriers, however as with its Sea King ASaC7 predecessor it may be deployed to quite a lot of places and use its radar for air, sea, and land surveillance. All Merlins fitted to hold Crowsnest are nonetheless able to being re-roled as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) or basic utility helicopters.
After a troubled and delayed improvement course of, Crowsnest reached the complete working functionality (FOC) milestone in 2025 however below probably the most not too long ago introduced plans is because of be withdrawn in 2029. Whether or not this 2029 sunset, in favor of uncrewed techniques, does happen stays to be seen.
Wildcats Arrive
After we lined the announcement in a earlier article, Wildcat HMA2 helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton had been ready for air transport and shortly loaded onto an RAF C-17 Globemaster III to be shipped to RAF Akrotiri.
The Wildcats can fly sorties from Akrotiri itself, and when HMS Dragon arrives within the area might additionally use the ship as a ahead base or refueling level on longer sorties. Every plane can carry as much as 20 Martlet missiles, initially designed for mild anti-surface strikes however now discovering a brand new function concentrating on small drones.
Secretary of State for Defence John Healey paid a two day go to to RAF Akrotiri on Mar. 4 and Mar. 5, talking to reporters about ongoing operations within the area and assembly personnel concerned in defensive missions.
“I’m very happy with the help they provide”🗣️
The Defence Secretary has thanked personnel defending the Center East and Europe on a go to to Cyprus
John Healey was quizzed on how an Iranian drone was capable of pierce the layers of defence at Britain’s most vital abroad base pic.twitter.com/mQl3CIlkpS
— BFBS Forces Information (@ForcesNews) March 5, 2026
Whereas he was on the base, air raid sirens had been activated on no less than two events, and there was concern {that a} ballistic missile menace might need been inbound – an alert later stood down because the missile’s trajectory grew to become clearer. So far as is public data, no additional assaults have efficiently hit the bottom for the reason that very first drone struck a hangar apparently utilised by U.S. U-2s.
Talking to The Occasions, Healey stated that as indications of imminent U.S. motion in opposition to Iran had constructed up over the last few months he had ordered extra air defence capabilities to Akrotiri. A few of these are thought to incorporate the beforehand talked about Giraffe radars, in addition to counter-drone techniques (C-UAS). The precise nature of what has and what has not been deployed is just not clear. He stated, although, nobody had anticipated the dimensions of the battle that might come – with the primary night time of raids led by a decapitation strike that killed Iranian Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei.
This week, our Armed Forces have proven extraordinary professionalism and dedication. They’re defending British lives and British pursuits within the Center East.
And that work continues ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0QZjja0joD
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) March 7, 2026
In response, Iranian missiles and drones had been launched at targets throughout the Center East with little discrimination in targets between those that had and people who had not participated within the assault. That is what then spurred the Ministry of Defence to mobilise extra property.
Provider Actions
It’s now reported that the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales plane service, beforehand held at 10 days readiness to sail, has been moved to five day readiness. This isn’t essentially a sign that the ship will certainly deploy, however is a part of the general heightened response to permit the UK to be prepared for any rising scenario.
Newest information article:
HMS Prince of Wales positioned on 5 days’ discover to sail in response to Center East disaster pic.twitter.com/LDvNB3r1Le
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) March 7, 2026
For this battle itself, with the UK at the moment operating defensive taskings solely, the utility of an plane service is considerably negated by the close by presence of RAF Akrotiri and allied bases throughout the Center East (owned by nations who’ve requested UK help in downing drones and missiles).
The U.S. Navy’s plane service USS Gerald R. Ford, beforehand working within the Jap Mediterranean, has now moved by means of the Suez Canal to the Pink Sea. This transfer itself is attention-grabbing as defending the service throughout a Suez and Pink Sea transit is tougher than in open seas, so the U.S. evaluation of the potential menace now should be low sufficient to allow this.
NEW: The usGerald R. Ford has transited the Suez Canal on Thursday and is now working within the Pink Sea per photographs posted to DVIDS. pic.twitter.com/fi1jUz94mr
— Konstantin Toropin (@KToropin) March 6, 2026
After an already in depth deployment, the service was retasked from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean earlier than the launch of Operation Epic Fury, and the Ford’s deployment now appears set to turn out to be one of many longest and most arduous in current U.S. Navy historical past.
Regardless of experiences that a further service is already en route, the usGeorge H. W. Bush has but to depart Norfolk on its already scheduled deployment. Nonetheless, the plane service has now accomplished the pre-deployment COMPTUEX coaching drill and returned to port to organize for what’s prone to be an eventful voyage.
