12 Squadron Typhoons in Qatar and defence of Bahrain and UAE airspace
RAF Typhoons from the joint UK-Qatar 12 Squadron deployed to Qatar in January 2026. Four more Typhoons flew from RAF Coningsby to join them, announced on 5 March and reported by the RAF on 7 March 2026. The RAF said the additional aircraft are tasked to support Bahraini and Emirati air defence, and the UK government described the role as defensive. In March 2026 the MOD also reported Typhoon and F-35 defensive patrols over Cyprus, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. I found no published end date.
- Where
- Qatar, Al Udeid Air Base
- When
- since 22 Jan 2026
- Units
- 12 Squadron (joint UK-Qatar Typhoon unit) plus four additional Typhoons from RAF Coningsby
- With
- Qatar Emiri Air Force, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates
- Last checked
- 4 Nov 2026
Sources
- RAF Typhoons Deploy to Qatar Royal Air Force, 7 Mar 2026
- UK to dispatch extra Typhoons to Qatar as Iran conflict rages FlightGlobal, 5 Mar 2026
- UK bolsters defences in Mideast as Iranian threats persist Gulf News
- UK forces in the Middle East region House of Commons Library, 3 Aug 2026
