UK RAF Typhoon Shoots Down Iranian Drone Heading for Qatar — First British Combat Action in War

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that on March 1, 2026, a Royal Air Force Typhoon operating from Qatar as part of the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron successfully shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatari territory using an air-to-air missile. The MOD stated the jet was conducting a defensive air patrol. This marks the first British aircraft combat action since the US-Israel operation against Iran began, with London emphasising it is acting in a purely defensive capacity and not conducting offensive strikes on Iran.