DETAILS of sophisticated weapons seized from speedboats in the Gulf of Oman by a British warship have been revealed.
The shipments, intercepted at sea on January 28 and February 5, contained multiple rocket engines for the Iranian-produced 351 land attack cruise missiles and 358 surface-to-air missiles, announced the UK Defence Ministry yesterday.
The 351 is a cruise missile with a range of 1,000km.
“It is regularly used by the Houthis to strike targets in Saudi Arabia and was also the type of weapon used to attack Abu Dhabi on January 17 this year, in which three civilians were killed,” said a statement
The interdictions were carried out by HMS Montrose while on routine maritime patrolling operations, and it was the first time that the UK Navy was involved in the seizure of a cache of weapons.
Operation
The warship’s Wildcat helicopter, equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems, was scanning for vessels suspected of smuggling illicit goods when it spotted small vessels moving at speed away from the Iranian coast, added the statement.
During the February incident, USS Gridley, operating under the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, supported efforts by deploying a Seahawk helicopter to provide critical overwatch during the operation.
On both occasions, helicopters pursued the vessels and reported back to HMS Montrose that they could see suspicious cargo on deck.
A team of Royal Marines approached the vessels on inflatable boats before securing and searching the vessel.
The weapons were seized along routes historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully to Yemen.
“Dozens of packages containing advanced weaponry were discovered, confiscated and brought back to HMS Montrose,” added the statement.
The UK Defence Ministry said that last month it hosted a panel of experts established pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 2140 (2014), concerning the conflict in Yemen
The panel inspected the seized weapons and received a technical brief by the UK’s defence intelligence analysts.
“The UK is committed to upholding international law, from standing up to aggression in Europe to interdicting illegal shipments of weaponry that perpetuates instability in the Middle East,” British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said yesterday.
“The UK will continue to work in support of an enduring peace in Yemen and is committed to international maritime security so that commercial shipping can transit safely without threat of disruption.”
The UK retains a permanent presence in the Middle East, with HMS Montrose having been deployed to the region since early 2019, actively supporting multi-national maritime security operations and protecting the interests of the UK and its allies.
The ship operates under the control and direction of the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC), based in Bahrain.
“These interdictions demonstrate the professionalism and commitment of the Royal Navy to promote stability in this region,” said HMS Montrose Commanding officer Commander Claire Thompson.
Impact
“I am extremely proud of my crew – the Royal Navy sailors, aircrew and Royal Marines involved in these endeavours and the significant positive impact they are having in maintaining the international rules-based order at sea.”
The UK vessel has taken part in numerous successful operations to seize illicit drugs in the Gulf of Oman, most recently in January when $26 million worth of heroin, methamphetamine, hashish and marijuana were seized.
Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper lauded the “decades-long strategic relationship with the Royal Navy”.
“Our continued collaboration on maritime interdictions in the Middle East reflects our extraordinary partnership and strong commitment to regional security and stability,” he said.
US Navy warships operating in the Middle East seized nearly 9,000 illicit weapons in 2021.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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