The Ministry of Defence has published a ten year record of Royal Navy deployments to the Middle East, offering a picture of how the UK presence in the region has fluctuated.
The figures were released after Conservative MP Richard Holden asked for annual deployment totals and an assessment of whether the current presence is adequate amid sustained regional instability.
Defence minister Al Carns provided the data but withheld vessel types on security grounds. The numbers show a high of 18 vessels in 2021 followed by a sharp reduction.
Royal Navy ship deployments to the Middle East
| Year | Number of vessels |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Carns said deployments vary due to operational requirements, humanitarian tasks, evacuation operations and ships transiting the region en route to other theatres.
He added that “the Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard the UK’s national security interests and operational requirements” and that the UK “remains committed to working with our partners across the region.”
The answer did not address whether ministers consider the present level of eight vessels sufficient, despite ongoing concerns about Houthi activity in the Red Sea, Iranian proxy threats and periodic spikes in maritime risk across the wider Gulf.
Off-course we were fighting three wars in the Middle East and the Atlantic and pacific were very quiet.
Sorry four wars Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria.
Not surprising when the RN has been reduced to a shadow of it’s former self. Now down to 7 active frigates and 6 destroyers which is a pitifully low force level and inadequate to meet NATO and UK EEZ protection duties.
One possible scenario, if Putin continues to threaten Europe, the public mood will openly change in the UK. A general recognition that peace is no longer assured will become a vehicle the media will use extensively to highlight the current condition of Britain’s defence. Though these observations will be mostly based on alarmist news-worthy stories, the end result will be public disquiet. At the moment, Starmer may secretly welcome such pressure as the recent budget and welfare issues are tending to obstruct his defence policy. I believe Putin will step up his threats next year, raising his agenda to the point that the average British Joe won’t be able to ignore.
Maurice, the media likely will do this because articles about crisis and alarm are great earners for them. But, simultaneously, they will also mercilessly attack any measures which governments take in order to free up money for defence, for the same reason, balancing out any pressure to take our security more seriously.
Agreed, I dont mind the tax raises as such, although its the wrong people being targeted, aslong as the money goes to good use. Infrastruce and Defence should be top priority but its not.
Yes, but I did say because of Putin’s threats, the public perception is likely to change and will begin to question the country’s readiness. Fear is not something modern society easily accepts, and I do think we are about to see an accelerated threat level from Putin as soon as the New Year. The Balkans and Scandinavia are rapidly warming up with increased defence expenditure, which is being matched by Russia’s new military bases along its border. 2026 will, I fear, be a year of enhanced rhetoric and possibly some red line incursions.
And yet throughout the war the Uks attitude has changed very little, i doubt it will change now