UK Defence in the Gulf

The Committee has decided to hold an inquiry into the role of UK Defence in the Gulf. The inquiry will examine the UK’s defence interests and objectives in the region, the adequacy of its current force posture and partnerships, and the implications of recent regional crises, including the 2026 conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, for the UK’s future defence presence.

The Committee expects evidence to focus on UK defence interests, military operations, force posture and defence partnerships in the Gulf, including with Gulf partner states and other regional actors where these bear directly on UK defence interests.

The Committee invites written evidence addressing the below terms of reference.

1. What are the UK's primary defence and security interests and objectives in the Gulf?

2. What are the UK's key defence partnerships in the region, and how do these contribute to meeting those interests and objectives?

3. Does the UK maintain an adequate force presence in the Gulf to protect its own interests and support those of its allies, including in relation to maritime security, air defence, crisis response and freedom of navigation?

- How have recent changes to the Royal Navy’s regional presence affected the UK’s ability to respond to crises?

4. What did the UK’s response to the 2026 conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States reveal about the adequacy, readiness and resilience of the UK’s regional defence posture?

- Were there areas in which that response exposed strengths or weaknesses in decision-making, deployment speed, force protection, air and missile defence, maritime security or interoperability with allies?

5. What role should the UK play in protecting freedom of navigation in and around the Gulf, including any future UK contribution to maritime security missions in the Strait of Hormuz?

- Does the UK have sufficient maritime, air and enabling capability to sustain such commitments while also meeting its Euro-Atlantic obligations?

6. How should the UK seek to enhance defence co-operation with partners in the region?

- Could and should further joint military capabilities, such as the joint Qatar-UK Typhoon Squadron, be developed?

- What role can defence industrial cooperation play in the UK’s regional defence partnerships, including in areas such as air and missile defence, counter-drone systems, maritime security and surveillance? Do regional allies have any specific defensive requirements on which the UK industrial base is particularly well-positioned to collaborate?

7. How important is the region to the UK’s defence industrial and export strategy? How can the Government maximise appropriate export opportunities for the UK defence industrial base, from established primes to SMEs and non-traditional suppliers?

This inquiry will consider the role of UK Defence in the Gulf region. It will examine the UK’s defence interests and objectives, force posture, and defence partnerships. It will cover the implications of recent crises, including the 2026 conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, for the UK’s future defence presence.

The Committee expects evidence to focus on UK defence interests, military operations, force posture and defence partnerships in the Gulf, including with Gulf partner states and other regional actors where these bear directly on UK defence interests.

Evidence goes to the committee through Parliament’s own form. There is no way to submit it from here: Parliament publishes no API for written evidence, so the button above opens the committee’s page.

What you send is published under your name and can be quoted in the committee’s report. Keep it under 3,000 words, send it as a document rather than a letter in the body of an email, and answer the questions above rather than writing generally.

This committee accepts submissions after the closing date, though earlier is better.