UK Deploys Rapid Sentry To Help Kuwait Guard Oil Refineries After Drone Attack

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 19:37 IST

UK deploys Rapid Sentry counter drone system to Kuwait after a drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery, aiming to protect personnel while avoiding wider conflict

The United Kingdom has deployed a counter-drone defence system to Kuwait following what Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned as a “reckless" overnight drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery, underscoring rising regional tensions linked to the wider Middle East conflict.

Britain’s Royal Air Force announced on Thursday that the RAF Regiment had deployed its Rapid Sentry counter-drone system to the Gulf state. The system, described as a ground-based air defence platform, is designed to detect and neutralise hostile drones.

“The RAF Regiment has deployed its highly effective Rapid Sentry counter-drone system to Kuwait," Britain’s Royal Air Force was quoted as saying by AFP.

It is a ground-based air defence system which UK Defence Secretary John Healey said was “battle-tested" last week, when the deployment plan was first announced.

In a call with Kuwait’s crown prince, Starmer strongly criticised the refinery attack, according to a Downing Street readout.

“The prime minister began by condemning the reckless overnight drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery," the statement said.

Downing Street added that Starmer and the crown prince discussed the Rapid Sentry deployment, emphasising that the system would protect both Kuwaiti and British personnel and interests in the region, while aiming to avoid any escalation into a wider conflict.

Gulf countries including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have increasingly been drawn into the Middle East war, coming under Iranian strikes in response to attacks launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

UK’s Role In West Asia Conflict

The United Kingdom has adopted a cautious but active role in the ongoing 2026 Iran conflict, which erupted after large-scale US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. While Britain has avoided direct participation in offensive operations, it has strengthened military defenses, supported allies, and intensified diplomatic efforts as the conflict spreads across the region.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that position, stressing the need to prevent escalation while condemning retaliatory attacks launched by Iran across the West Asia.

News world UK Deploys Rapid Sentry To Help Kuwait Guard Oil Refineries After Drone Attack

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