To add details

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Britain plans to send additional troops and air defense equipment to help its Middle East allies as Iranian attacks continue, Defence Secretary John Healey said on Tuesday.

Haley toured the Middle East, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

The British Ministry of Defence said in a statement that Healy held talks with allies during which they discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening cooperation between Britain and the Gulf states in the field of regional security.

The statement said that Britain would deploy the Sky Sabre system in Saudi Arabia, a ground-based air defense system used by the British military.

Healy reported the extension of the deployment of British Typhoon fighter jets in Qatar, where Britain operates a joint squadron with Qatar.

The ministry added that the British multi-mission lightweight missile launcher is now in Bahrain, where it is being integrated into the country's air defense systems.

Healy told reporters that British forces would help install, operate, and train on the new air defense systems, and that nearly 1,000 troops were expected to be deployed across the Middle East to help "protect the skies and strengthen air defenses."

"I commend the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf to protect their countries," Haley said in a written statement issued by the State Department. "We will stand with our long-term partners in the Middle East and will continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict."