British PM Starmer to send four Typhoon jets to Qatar

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar amid the ongoing regional developments, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence.

"I can announce today that we're sending four additional typhoon jets to join our squadron in Qatar to strengthen our defensive operations in Qatar, and across the region," Starmer told a press conference.

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 defensive operations there and in the region.

"We have the right plan for defence," he said.

Starmer said the country's so-called special relationship with the United States was operating as normal, after Trump earlier this week criticised the UK and said Starmer had hurt the pair's historically close ties.

"We're sharing intelligence on a 24/7 basis in the usual way. That is the special relationship. That is the special relationship in operation," Starmer explained.