The UK is stepping up preparations to support mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz, with ministers highlighting new capabilities and ongoing multinational planning.
In response to a private notice question in the House of Lords, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said efforts are underway to restore and maintain freedom of navigation in the strategically vital waterway.
“We continue to convene efforts towards restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is of vital importance to the UK,” he said.
RFA Lyme Bay is being equipped to act as a mothership for autonomous mine countermeasure systems.
The update follows a meeting convened by the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters on 7 April involving around 30 nations, focused on safeguarding shipping routes in the region.
During the exchange, former First Sea Lord Lord West of Spithead warned against any disruption to the Strait, describing it as a critical international waterway, and pointed to the UK’s expertise in minehunting.
He also suggested closer coordination with Oman, noting that key deep-water shipping routes into and out of the Gulf pass through Omani rather than Iranian waters. The government said it is working with allies on a coordinated multinational approach to protect international shipping, including plans to co-host a summit with France to develop that framework.
We’re fighting to stay relevant.
With the US military unable to keep the straits open and mine free, what can you expect from the UK. The US caused this mess, they should clear it up.
They’re Iranian mines, mate.
It’s an American war. Was the Strait mined before Trump and the big Yahu started bombing schools?
And what caused them being there? Was it trump and his illegal war with no win criteria specified?
Anyone and everyone with a vague ounce of common sense knew Iran would use the strait for leverage and mining it was their best option, and yet the US didn’t account for it or prepare to counter it.
Unfortunately we are relevant, no one else has the ability to bring a coalition of European, Asian and Gulf nations together and command them in a single force which is the only thing that’s going to get this done.
All down to the Dumtwaddlechump and his over inflated ego.
The question is: Are there ships, maritime drones, and the capacity within the Royal Navy to do this? This administration’s approach is both pathetic and comical, but there’s no sign of increasing the already ridiculously small naval forces. What’s the point of having two aircraft carriers if there aren’t any ships to escort them? Perhaps that’s the justification they’re looking for to sell one of them. If the U.S. Navy is so busy clearing mines from the Strait, what can a navy that’s been reduced to a bare minimum possibly do?
An RFA with basic damage control and Phalanx in a war zone. I bet the crews are thrilled. One thing to be accompanied by a couple of Type 45, 23 and continuous Typhoon cap , the other to be put on offer for a limp beta male PM who hasn’t released his fully coated DIP.
Nice Alt right language there, I suppose you a alpha giga hyper mega chad then 😂
All negativity aside about the lack of minesweepers (despite the fact we have seven in service) however a Bay class operating one or more of the new drone systems we have will be a vast capability upgrade on anything four Sandown or Hunt class minesweepers could ever manage.
She can also operate several Wildcat to provide enhanced force and UAV protection. Combine that with a T45 and that is a solid UK contribution to lead any international coalition force.
An opportunity for a real world trial of the new RN ways of doing mine clearance; usvs, uuvs and makeshift mothership. We should learn a lot.
Yes I agree we are one of very few countries that could pull together a coalition naval force with allies just a sad state what limited resources we could spare for it but that alone is a great asset.
Something America has now lost!
Hopefully this new idea of a mothership of mine clearance with the new TEC is successful ,it’s sad to see a once capability the RN had with a fleet of minehunters and were world renown for is now lost .