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By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman      Published  Sep 22, 2026 5:39 PM EDT     (u-k-sending-voyager-tanker-to-help-defend-saudi-airspace-trump-tells-un-iran-deal-likely-after-election.html#comments)    0           (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=twz.com) Add TWZ (opens in a new tab)      More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.        (RAF sending voyager to defend against Houthi attacks.)   Air Tanker    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (e4b3bc2c75)  (/air/u-k-sending-voyager-tanker-to-help-defend-saudi-airspace-trump-tells-un-iran-deal-likely-after-election)  (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      (https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy        The Royal Air Force (RAF) is deploying one of its (https://www.twz.com/25292/lockheed-and-airbus-join-forces-to-disrupt-u-s-aerial-refueling-marketplace-and-more) Voyager aerial refueling jets to help (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-military-support-to-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia.ar) Saudi Arabia defend  against (https://www.twz.com/news-features/the-outlook-is-getting-grimmer-by-the-day-for-oil-exports-from-the-red-sea) ongoing attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen. The decision marks the first publicly known international military assistance offered to Saudi Arabia specifically for its fight against the Houthis, which erupted over the summer. The move came hours before U.S. President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly meeting that he believes a peace deal with Iran will be reached after the U.S. midterm elections in November. The British action is significant because, while it involves just one tanker, other key Saudi allies have yet to heed the Kingdom’s request for military help specifically to battle the Houthis. Although it’s important to note some assets already deployed to defend against Iranian attacks could be helping with the Houthi threat now. (This picture is from a Quick Reaction Alert training scenario. The QRA exercise was conducted 31 March 2026. The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate the full end-to-end process of the UK's air defence strategy if an actual foreign aircraft was to invade their protected airspace. Upon receiving the alert, the QRA team at RAF Coningsby would launch to RAF Typhoon FGR4's to intercept any unknown aircraft within the protected airspace. In this particular scenario an RAF Voyager A330 (RAF Brize Norton) was acting as the agressor and two RAF Typhoons FRG4 (RAF Coningsby) were responding to the simulated threat. During the exercise the Typhoons intercepted the Voyager and conducted a series of maneouvers whilst communicating with the "foreign" aircraft with the aim of escorting it to a safe location on the ground (RAF Brize Norton) upon which it and it's crew would be guarded and safely inspected by counter-terrorist police. The resulting imagery is to be used for training government ministers on how a QRA works and all the different elements involved. From the initial radar detection of a foreign, unidentified aircraft at the London Area Control Centre, Swanwick, to the physical launch of our QRA team at RAF Coningsby. The RAF use a hose-and-drogue air-to-air refuelling system deployed from Voyager tanker aircraft. Instead of a rigid flying boom, the tanker trails a flexible high-pressure hose attached to a stabilizing basket (drogue), allowing receiver jets like the Typhoon and F-35 to plug in mid-flight. This image shows a Typhoon releasing flares as a warning to the "enemy aircraft".)  A Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 accompanies a Voyager tanker during a Quick Reaction Alert training scenario in March 2026. (Crown Copyright) Crown Copyright  Last week, Trump (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/us/politics/trump-yemen-houthis-red-sea-iran.html) turned down a direct plea from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom’s de facto leader, to attack the Houthis. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Turkey, which signed the (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/saudi-arabia-turkey-pakistan-sign-joint-defence-deal-amid-regional-turmoil-2026-08-07/) Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia, have yet to provide any direct military aid. The pact holds that an attack on one is considered an attack on all; however, it doesn’t stipulate exactly what actions should be taken.  Saudi Arabia, (https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-stranglehold-on-strategic-bab-al-mandab-strait-grows-stronger) under repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks as well as suspected strikes from (https://www.twz.com/news-features/the-outlook-is-getting-grimmer-by-the-day-for-oil-exports-from-the-red-sea) Iranian-backed militias in Iraq , is struggling to defend its oil infrastructure. The Kingdom is also facing a challenge supporting the anti-Houthi forces it backs in the Yemen civil war that reignited in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran (https://www.twz.com/news-features/iran-is-under-attack) that began Feb. 28 . At issue, beyond protecting the Saudis, is growing concern over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key chokepoint now largely controlled by the Houthis, who are preventing the Saudis from using it to ship oil.  Earlier this year, the Houthis(https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-blockade-on-saudi-red-sea-oil-transits-threatens-to-widen-war-strangle-energy-supply) imposed a blockade on the Strait, and began(https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-now-attacking-saudi-oil-tankers-in-red-sea-major-energy-supply-implications) striking Saudi ships in the southern part of the Red Sea as well as critical energy terminals on that body of water. Iranian proxies have also struck (https://www.twz.com/news-features/the-outlook-is-getting-grimmer-by-the-day-for-oil-exports-from-the-red-sea) the vital East-West pipeline that feeds oil to be transferred and shipped via the Red Sea in order to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran vastly curtailed shipping after the launch of Operation Epic Fury. The pipeline (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/saudi-arabia-restarts-east-west-100845429.html) reportedly reopened today after being shut down following a long-range drone attack. ()  The Saudi Arabian East-West pipeline after it was damaged by an attack. (Satellite image ©2026 Vantor)   The stark reality is that if Saudi refineries are destroyed and the pipeline is shut down for months, if not longer, the last major lifeline from the region — and especially to Europe — would be closed off, sparking a deeper energy crisis. Concern over these factors spurred Britain to act, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) noted. It said it was acting on a request from Saudi Arabia and that the jet would “support Saudi Arabia’s defensive operations in aid of the legitimate Yemeni government.” “Escalating tensions in the Gulf could have negative consequences here in the UK—such as rising prices, disruptions to energy supplies, and increased costs for British businesses,” the ministry explained. “The Houthis pose a threat to stability in the Middle East; therefore, it is in the UK’s national interest—economically and in terms of security—that they do not succeed in their aims.” “We unequivocally condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and our position is clear: both Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government have the right to self-defense,” the ministry added.  The jet will operate from a U.K. air base in Cyprus and will begin air-to-air refueling operations in the coming days, (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlykpe4dk0yo) theBBC reported.  The MoD said the Voyager will fly only in support of missions to shoot down missiles and drones, though Saudi aircraft are also bombing Houthi ground positions in Yemen, in part to get at drone and missile launchers and storage sites. Houthi officials have accused the Saudis of (https://t.me/AnsarAllahMC/332821) killing civilians in some of these attacks . It should be noted that, more than a decade ago, the U.S. was supporting the Saudi coalition’s previous bombing campaign against the Houthis by providing aerial refueling and intelligence. However, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis(https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill-crews-like-others-from-us-stop-refueling-saudi-led-fight-in-yemen-20181115/) ended that in 2018 during the first Trump presidency after growing concerns(https://www.npr.org/2018/08/28/642508732/u-n-experts-some-saudi-led-airstrikes-in-yemen-could-be-war-crimes) over the large number of civilian casualties . The Voyager can only refuel the Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons, Panavia Tornados, and Italian Air Force Typhoons that have been in the Kingdom since before the fighting with the Houthis broke out, as well as any other similarly equipped allied aircraft. That’s because the tanker only has (https://www.twz.com/watch-this-nato-tanker-make-a-landing-with-a-dangling-refueling-hose) probe-and-drogue aerial refueling , not the boom required for gassing up other receptacle-equipped aircraft. You can read more about this in our story (https://www.twz.com/air/uk-government-commits-to-boom-refueling-for-raf-tankers) here . ()  The view from the cockpit of an A400M during air-to-air refueling with a Voyager KC3 using its probe and drogue system, via the fuselage refueling unit. Crown Copyright   The Voyager will not be the first British asset to be sent to help Saudi Arabia since the launch of Epic Fury. In March, the U.K. sent its (https://www.twz.com/21139/british-armys-new-land-ceptor-sam-system-blasts-its-first-aerial-target) Sky Sabre air defense system and troops to the Kingdom to help defend against attacks from Iran. (Pictured: The British Army Sky Sabre state-of-the-art intermediate air defence system. It marks a wholesale upgrade to the venerable Rapier system that was in service for nearly five decades. Sky Sabre, comprising of three separate components: The Agile Multi-Beam Surveillance Targeting radar (affectionally referred to as the Giraffe, pictured left), the Battle Management Command & Control Communications (not shown), and the Land Ceptor CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles) missile delivery vehicle (right). All are pictured together for the purposes of the photographs; on the battlefield, they could be expected to operate up to 15Km apart. The system is designed to respond to sophisticated missile attacks and can defend against saturation attacks of supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and other high-performance targets. at a range of 120Km using the CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile), travelling at over 2300 miles per hour. It does this via multiple channels of fire, providing 360-degree simultaneous coverage and high degrees of manoeuvrability.)  The British Army Sky Sabre state-of-the-art intermediate air defence system. (Corporal Adam J Wakefield) Corporal Adam J Wakefield  “This support builds upon the UK’s existing military contribution to Saudi air defense, which includes the deployment of an air defense system and British personnel to help protect against missile and drone attacks,” the MoD pointed out on Tuesday. “Saudi Arabia and Yemen are steadfast partners of the UK and play a vital role in regional stability. It is in the UK’s interest to safeguard regional stability, protect vital trade and energy supplies, and encourage a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Yemen.” The civil war in Yemen erupted in 2014 and expanded a year later when a Saudi-led coalition joined forces with the government ousted by the Houthis. The fighting between Saudi-led forces and the Houthis largely abated after a tenuous ceasefire was signed in 2022. The Saudis held off on getting involved in the recent Red Sea conflict which saw the U.S. and coalition warships duking it out with the Houthis, and eventually led to a U.S.-led air campaign over Yemen. The United Kingdom was the other significant player in that air campaign. Tensions, as we noted earlier in this story, reignited in recent weeks after the Houthis joined the U.S.-Iran conflict on the side of their major supporter.  On Tuesday, Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e claimed that Saudi Arabia conducted 19 airstrikes across rebel-held territory in Yemen that involved (https://t.me/AnsarAllahMC/332821) the latest round of civilian casualties . The Saudis have not directly responded. ()  Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e. (Houthi Telegram)   As we stated earlier in this story, hours after the U.K. announced it was sending a Voyager tanker to Saudi Arabia, Trump addressed the ongoing conflict with Iran during his speech to the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The American leader called for international isolation of Iran and repeated his stance that he was at an inflection point on deciding what course to take moving forward. The situation has settled into an uneasy pause interrupted by sporadic Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. It has been weeks since the U.S. last struck Iranian targets. “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” Trump asked rhetorically. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump added that he believes he will make a peace deal with Iran after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, which could decide which party controls Congress. With gasoline and diesel price increases damaging the economy, the war and Trump’s (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/poll-voters-say-trump-hurt-economy-competitive-midterm-election-looms-rcna597868) handling of it have been very unpopular with voters . In a (https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28663789-cnn-poll-conducted-by-ssrs-iran-foreign-policy/) CNN and SSRS poll , released Tuesday, 64% of those responding said the U.S. (https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6103373-poll-trump-iran-war/) is not winning the war in Iran , while 36% disagreed. In addition, 78% of participants said Trump is not doing enough to end the conflict with Iran and 22% said he was. Trump to the UN: "Do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly? Do I drive them into hell?" (https://t.co/cIYBO1Mp3w) pic.twitter.com/cIYBO1Mp3w  — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) (https://x.com/atrupar/status/2102407783807094948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) September 22, 2026    After a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham following his UN speech, Trump (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tehran-hints-hormuz-talks-with-us-leaders-gather-un-2026-09-22/) claimed the Iranians still want to make a deal . “They want to talk to us,” he said. “They have been talking to us, even today they’ve been talking to us, and the relationship is developing. But we can’t let them – and they understand that – we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.” A U.S. negotiating team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, (https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/us-iran-war-trump-decision-tehran-warns-of-expansion/) met with Iranian officials on the sidelines of Tuesday’s U.N. meeting. That sideline session lasted about three hours and went well, according to Trump, who offered no details on the discussions. Trump: US officials met with the Iranian delegation for three hours – "it was a good meeting" — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) (https://x.com/PolymarketIntel/status/2102461893499908368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) September 22, 2026    For their part, the Iranians said they are willing to negotiate, but on their terms. “A senior Iranian official said Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf shipping within seven days if the U.S. fulfilled Tehran’s demands to ease military pressure and lift an American blockade on Iranian ports,” (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tehran-hints-hormuz-talks-with-us-leaders-gather-un-2026-09-22/) Reuters reported . “The official added that Tehran had conveyed its latest proposal to Washington via mediators last week.” Contact the author: howard@twz.com  (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) (Howard Altman Avatar)   (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman   Senior Staff Writer    Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for  TWZ  . He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command.   (https://twitter.com/haltman)     (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardaltman/)           (https://www.twz.com/category/around-the-globe) Around The Globe      (https://www.twz.com/category/iran) Iran      (https://www.twz.com/category/middle-east) Middle East      (https://www.twz.com/category/news-features) News & Features      (https://www.twz.com/category/potus) POTUS      (https://www.twz.com/category/yemen) Yemen         Loading comments…  Comments couldn’t be loaded. Please refresh the page.         Latest in Royal Air Force (https://www.twz.com/air/video-shows-raf-hawk-t2-trainer-crew-ejecting-before-jet-crashes) (Photographed here is a 3-ship flight of Hawk T2 aircraft from 4 Squadron (Sqn) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley on 05 July 2024. The flight was to conduct a Flypast over a ceremony at St John’s, Isle of Man on Tynwald Day, the National Day of the Isle of Man. In celebration of Tynwald Day, a Ceremony is attended by the Lieutenant Governor (presiding and representing His Majesty The King, Lord of Mann), the President of Tynwald, the Chief Minister, all the ministers and Members of House of Keys and Members of the Legislative Council. The Captains of the Parish also attend, plus all the key players on Island. The three aircraft returned via the Mach loop and performed a tour of the Anglesey Coastline, flying over Penmon Point, Traeth Llanddwyn, Traeth Mawr and the Menai Straits.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/royal-air-force) Royal Air Force   (https://www.twz.com/air/video-shows-raf-hawk-t2-trainer-crew-ejecting-before-jet-crashes) Video Shows RAF Hawk T2 Trainer Crew Ejecting Before Jet Crashes (Updated)   The incident occurred shortly after the Hawk departed from RAF Valley on a training mission. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick        11:51 AM  September 23, 2026      (https://www.twz.com/air/uk-government-commits-to-boom-refueling-for-raf-tankers) (Vespina refuelling two Lightning II jets. Following the arrival of the RAF VIP Voyager “Vespina” at its base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Thursday 25th June 2021, the aircraft undertook its first operational tasking today Friday 26th June 2021, by tanking RAF Lightning and Typhoon fighters during Exercise CRIMSON OCEAN. After several weeks repainting, the Voyager was confirmed ready to undertake its full operational role of Air-to-Air Refuelling and personnel transport alongside the rest of the RAF Voyager fleet. Taking off from RAF Brize Norton, the aircraft spent most of the day airborne to provide several refuelling stops for the fighters taking part in the joint RAF and Royal Navy exercise. This refuelling occurred off the Northeast coast of the United Kingdom. Exercise CRIMSON OCEAN allows the Royal Navy and RAF to train and hone their ability to deliver routine fighter and helicopter operations in a range of environments from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Lightning aircraft from 617 Squadron have been onboard the carrier since 9 July when they left their base at RAF Marham in Norfolk. The aircraft, known as Vespina is also referred to as 'ZZ336', its military registration number, was previously visually indistinguishable from the rest of the RAF Voyager Fleet. The new paint scheme will better reflect its VIP mission and contribution to ‘Global Britain’. The paintwork concludes a refurbishment stemming from the 2015 SDSR.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/royal-air-force) Royal Air Force   (https://www.twz.com/air/uk-government-commits-to-boom-refueling-for-raf-tankers) UK Government Commits To Boom Refueling For RAF Tankers   The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick        12:32 PM  September 3, 2026        ()    The TWZ Newsletter  Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (https://twz.beehiiv.com/) Sign Up  By signing up you agree to our(https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy.           More   (https://www.twz.com/28900/royal-navy-frigate-escorts-u-k-tanker-out-of-the-persian-gulf-after-iranian-threats) (Royal Navy Frigate Escorts U.K. Tanker Out Of The Persian Gulf After Iranian Threats)     (https://www.twz.com/category/royal-navy) Royal Navy   (https://www.twz.com/28900/royal-navy-frigate-escorts-u-k-tanker-out-of-the-persian-gulf-after-iranian-threats) Royal Navy Frigate Escorts U.K. Tanker Out Of The Persian Gulf After Iranian Threats   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway-and-joseph-trevithick) Tyler Rogoway and Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-now-attacking-saudi-oil-tankers-in-red-sea-major-energy-supply-implications) (The Houthis have attacked Saudi ships in the Red Sea.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/iran) Iran   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-now-attacking-saudi-oil-tankers-in-red-sea-major-energy-supply-implications) Houthis Now Attacking Saudi Oil Tankers In Red Sea, Major Energy Supply Implications (Updated)   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/intel-from-saudi-arabia-uae-helped-defend-israel-against-iranian-attack-report) (An Israeli Air Force F-15I in its shelter armed with air-to-air missiles.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/iran) Iran   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/intel-from-saudi-arabia-uae-helped-defend-israel-against-iranian-attack-report) Intel From Saudi Arabia, UAE Helped Defend Israel Against Iranian Attack: Report   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick           (https://www.twz.com/38148/explosive-laden-boat-strikes-oil-tanker-in-saudi-arabian-port) (Explosive-Laden Boat Strikes Oil Tanker In Saudi Arabian Port)     (https://www.twz.com/category/saudi-arabia) Saudi Arabia   (https://www.twz.com/38148/explosive-laden-boat-strikes-oil-tanker-in-saudi-arabian-port) Explosive-Laden Boat Strikes Oil Tanker In Saudi Arabian Port   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/29015/the-u-k-s-pint-sized-martlet-missile-will-guard-royal-navy-ships-and-much-more) (The U.K.’s Pint-Sized Martlet Missile Will Guard Royal Navy Ships And Much More)     (https://www.twz.com/category/united-kingdom) United Kingdom   (https://www.twz.com/29015/the-u-k-s-pint-sized-martlet-missile-will-guard-royal-navy-ships-and-much-more) The U.K.’s Pint-Sized Martlet Missile Will Guard Royal Navy Ships And Much More   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/29864/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-oil-facilities) (Everything You Need To Know About The Attacks On Saudi Arabia’s Oil Facilities (Updated))     (https://www.twz.com/category/saudi-arabia) Saudi Arabia   (https://www.twz.com/29864/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-oil-facilities) Everything You Need To Know About The Attacks On Saudi Arabia’s Oil Facilities (Updated)   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-stage-large-scale-attack-on-saudi-aligned-forces-in-yemen) (The Houthis have launched a large-scale attack on Saudi-aligned forces in Yemen.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/red-sea) Red Sea   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/houthis-stage-large-scale-attack-on-saudi-aligned-forces-in-yemen) Houthis Stage Large-Scale Attack On Saudi-Aligned Forces In Yemen   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-k-denying-u-s-use-of-key-bases-would-impact-bombers-role-in-iran-air-campaign) (A decision by the U.K. to block U.S. access to two key bases for an attack on Iran could impact President Donald Trump's plans.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/iran) Iran   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-k-denying-u-s-use-of-key-bases-would-impact-bombers-role-in-iran-air-campaign) U.K. Denying U.S. Use Of Key Bases Would Impact Bombers’ Role In Iran Air Campaign   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/category/air) SEE MORE         (https://www.twz.com/) ()    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (e4b3bc2c75)  (/air/u-k-sending-voyager-tanker-to-help-defend-saudi-airspace-trump-tells-un-iran-deal-likely-after-election)  (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      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