Alliances in action: British and American forces assist Israel amidst Iranian rocket onslaught
Echoes of the rocket barrage on Israel, carried out by Iran on the evening of 1st October, still resound. Approximately 200 rockets were launched, which not only Israel's advanced missile defence system attempted to counter but also weapons deployed by at least two of its allies.
UK Defence Minister John Healey stated that British forces assisted Israel in repelling the Iranian rocket attack. He did not specify the extent of the support, but according to BBC sources, British aircraft were involved in the defensive action.
The Pentagon also issued a statement confirming the involvement of American forces in the defence of Israel. In this instance, slightly more information was made public. Several interceptor missiles were fired from two ships stationed in the Middle East for an extended period.
The great powers helped Israel repel the attack from Iran
American warships are currently stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, Red, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. They have been on high alert since 7th October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. It is known that this time, interceptor missiles aboard the USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Cole (DDG-67) were utilised.
American destroyers defend Israel
These are Arleigh Burke-class American destroyers. They are characterised by a length of approximately 155 metres and a width of approximately 20 metres, achieving a maximum speed of about 56 kilometres per hour. In addition to electronic warfare systems, they have a very wide range of armaments, including rifles, naval guns, torpedo launchers, and various types of missiles. The Pentagon has not revealed what measures were used to counter the missiles launched by Iran.
The precise scope of UK support remains unclear. The BBC report on the use of British aircraft does not specify which units were involved.
It is most likely, however, that these were British fighters, which, like American fighters and ships, have been stationed in bases in the Middle East for some time. In April, when Iran last attacked Israel with rockets, Eurofighter Typhoon fighters were utilised. These aircraft can reach speeds of approximately 2,123 kilometres per hour. Besides the standard 27 mm cannon, they are equipped to carry various types of rocket missiles, cruise missiles, and bombs.
