From UK to Australia: 5 countries that have offered UAE defence support amid Iran war

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Since Iran began aggressive attacks on the Gulf countries as a result of a conflict with US and Israel, some nations have stepped up defence support and military expertise to the UAE and others to bolster regional security.

The conflict, which intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets since February 28, 2026, triggered retaliatory attacks from Tehran across the Gulf, with the UAE among the countries affected.

Countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy and Ukraine have stepped up military deployments and defence support to the UAE as tensions escalate.

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United Kingdom

The UK has increased its military posture in the region, deploying additional air defence capabilities and aircraft. They have deployed extra counter-drone specialists, additional Wildcat and Merlin helicopters to Cyprus, Typhoon jets to Qatar and begun defensive sorties in support of the UAE, AFP reported.

The British Embassy in the UAE revealed that their military aircraft operated over the country, working alongside Emirati forces to bolster air defences.

In a video posted on Instagram, group captain Sandy Sandilands, UK Defence Attaché to the UAE, said the aircraft were deployed to support the UAE's existing defensive systems. He talked about UK specialists in counter-drone systems sharing their experience with Emirati air defence teams over the past few days.

"The UK and the UAE armed forces share a deep and long-standing partnership, one that stretches back to the very founding of this nation. Later this year, we look forward to celebrating 50 years of the UAE Armed Forces together," Sandilands added.

Britain is also exploring additional options for deployments to the Gulf after Iran stepped up attacks on vessels, defence minister John Healey said on Thursday (March 12), adding that the UK already has autonomous mine hunting systems in the region.

France

France has also deployed Rafale fighter jets over the UAE to protect its naval and air bases against Iranian attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on March 3, AFP reported.

"These Rafales and their pilots are mobilised to ensure the security of our facilities," Barrot told the BFMTV broadcaster in response to a question on French action in the UAE to neutralise Iranian drones.

"They have carried out operations to secure the airspace above our bases. "Exchanges are multiplying to determine both how the country can defend itself against future attacks and how France can protect its interests there," he added."

Ukraine

Ukraine has sent air defence teams to Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to help them in their fight against Iran's aerial attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday.

Gulf states have expended large quantities of precious air-defence missiles to counter Iran’s attack drones and have sought Ukraine's expertise in downing them, Reuters reported.

Kyiv downs Russian drones every night using an array of weaponry including cheaper, smaller drones or jamming equipment.

"Regarding the situation in the Middle East, we have sent our teams: three professional, equipped teams," Zelenskiy told reporters. He did not give details on the teams but said they should all be in place this week.

His communications adviser also said Ukrainian specialists had already been deployed to a US military base in Jordan, without providing details.

Australia

Australia will deploy a military surveillance ‌aircraft to the Middle East and send missiles to the UAE but won't put troops on the ground in ​Iran, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

Australia's ​military support would help the Gulf countries defend ⁠themselves against unprovoked attacks from Iran, Albanese said, stressing Australia ​was "not a protagonist".

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had said on March 7 that the country will send air-defence assistance to Gulf countries hit by Iranian strikes, AFP reported.

In an interview with RTL 102.5 radio, Meloni said "Italy, like the UK, France and Germany, intends to send aid to the Gulf countries.

Separately, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told the parliament that Italy would send, along with France, Spain, and the Netherlands, naval assets to defend EU member Cyprus "in coming days".

[With inputs from Reuters, AFP]