UK commits jets, warship and drones to Hormuz mission

Britain has announced its contribution to a multinational mission to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with Defence Secretary John Healey setting out a force package including Typhoon jets, HMS Dragon, autonomous mine-hunting equipment, and counter-drone systems at a virtual summit of over 40 defence ministers, the UK Defence Journal understands.

The announcement is backed by £115 million in new funding for mine-hunting drones and counter-drone systems. The mission, described by the MoD as strictly defensive and independent, would become operational when conditions in the region allow.

The UK force package includes advanced autonomous mine-hunting equipment capable of detecting and defeating mines, the Royal Navy’s modular Beehive system carrying high-speed Kraken autonomous drone boats, Typhoon fast jets, specialist mine-clearance personnel who have been preparing in the UK, and HMS Dragon, which is already en route to the Middle East. RFA Lyme Bay is also being upgraded to serve as a mothership for autonomous systems should it be required for operations in the strait.

Healey said the package demonstrated Britain’s leading role in the effort. “The UK is playing a leading role to secure the Strait of Hormuz, and we are demonstrating that today with new cutting-edge kit to protect our interests and secure the Strait. New funding for autonomous mine-hunting and counter-drone systems, our advanced Typhoon jets, and HMS Dragon are strong and clear commitments — commitments to strengthen the confidence of commercial shipping and reduce the burden of the conflict on people at home. With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent, and credible.”

HMS Dragon has undergone additional training and systems calibration ahead of her deployment. The Type 45 destroyer carries the Sea Viper air defence system, one of the most capable counter-drone and anti-missile systems in the Royal Navy’s surface fleet. More than 1,000 UK personnel are already operating across the broader region, including counter-drone teams and fast jet squadrons.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime chokepoints, through which approximately a fifth of global oil supplies pass. Shipping traffic in the strait has dropped sharply since the onset of the regional conflict, placing significant pressure on global energy markets and supply chains. The multinational mission, co-led by the UK and France, is designed to restore confidence for commercial operators and reduce disruption to international trade.

Iran has already warned that any foreign naval presence in the strait will be met with a decisive response, with Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Gharibabadi posting on X that British and French warships would face immediate action from Iranian armed forces. The UK and its partners have maintained that the mission is purely defensive in nature.