Direct proof of use
The Eurofighter Typhoon is directly documented in the 2023 Red Sea Crisis through UK Ministry of Defence releases on RAF strike missions against Houthi military facilities in Yemen. On 11 January 2024, four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager air-refuelling tankers, used Paveway IV guided bombs against Houthi facilities at Bani and Abbs that the UK tied to drone, cruise-missile, and shipping-attack activity.
Further UK releases identify Typhoon FGR4 participation on 22 January, 3 February, 24 February, and 30 May 2024, plus a 29 April 2025 joint operation with U.S. forces. The public record supports UK operational use of RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft; it does not indicate transfer, possession, or operation of Typhoons by Houthi forces or another conflict party.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 22 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 3 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes, MOD 29 April 2025 Yemen Strike
Timeline
The first public Typhoon strike disclosure in the crisis came after the 11 January 2024 operation, when the UK said RAF aircraft joined coalition forces against Houthi facilities used to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea. The disclosed targets included a drone-launch site at Bani in north-western Yemen and Abbs airfield, which UK intelligence linked to cruise-missile and drone launches over the Red Sea.
On 22 January 2024, four RAF Typhoon FGR4s again joined U.S. forces and struck targets at two military sites near Sanaa airfield. On 3 February, Typhoons struck multiple targets at As Salif, Al Munirah, and Bani, including drone ground-control stations and facilities connected to Houthi drone and missile operations.
On 24 February 2024, four RAF Typhoon FGR4s participated in another coalition strike against Houthi military facilities tied to attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al-Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. On 30 May 2024, RAF Typhoons struck buildings near Hudaydah and at Ghulayfiqah that the UK associated with drone control, long-range drone storage, surface-to-air weapons, and command and control of the Houthi anti-shipping campaign.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 22 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 3 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes
Narrative
In Red Sea Crisis service, the Typhoon's documented role was coalition precision strike and interdiction against Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen. The UK releases consistently describe Typhoon FGR4s carrying Paveway IV guided bombs and operating with Voyager tanker support, while the disclosed target set centered on drone launch, drone control, missile, air-defense, and command facilities linked by the UK to attacks on international shipping.
The aircraft were used as UK combat platforms inside a wider U.S.-led and partner-supported campaign. The strikes were aimed at facilities ashore rather than direct air-to-air engagements or maritime patrol. Target descriptions in the public releases place the supported use around Bani, Abbs, Sanaa airfield, As Salif, Al Munirah, Hudaydah, Ghulayfiqah, and a site south of Sanaa.
The 29 April 2025 release shows continued UK Typhoon use after the initial 2024 strike series. In that operation, RAF Typhoon FGR4s used Paveway IV bombs against buildings south of Sanaa that the UK said were used to manufacture drones of the type employed against ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes, MOD 29 April 2025 Yemen Strike
