Autonomous mine hunting equipment and cutting-edge counter drone systems will be deployed by Britain, along with Typhoon jets and a naval ship, to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
This future defensive mission is backed by £115 million (BD58m) of new funding for mine-hunting drones and counter-drone systems, that are expected to be operational when conditions allow.
This was revealed during a virtual summit of defence chiefs, with representation from more than 40 nations involved in the Multinational Military Mission. The UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey, highlighted that his country’s contribution to the multinational mission will include a cutting-edge autonomous kit, as part of the Royal Navy’s shift to a ‘hybrid navy’.
“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,” added Mr Healey.
“New funding for autonomous mine-hunting and counter-drone systems, our advanced Typhoon jets and HMS Dragon are strong and clear 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.”
The UK force package will include:
• Advanced autonomous mine hunting equipment, including capabilities to detect and defeat mines.
• The Royal Navy’s modular ‘Beehive’ system which can deliver high-speed, autonomous Kraken drone boats allowing the multinational force to sense, track and identify potential threats and defeat them.
• UK Typhoon jets, battle-proven in the region, ready to conduct air patrols over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Advanced British military specialists, who have been preparing in the UK to conduct mine-clearing operations.
• HMS Dragon deploying to the Middle East to be ready for any mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. It’s counter drone systems include the cutting-edge Sea Viper system.
The latest contributions to the mission complement the UK’s existing defensive operations in the region, with around 1,000 UK personnel across the region, which have played an important role in protecting British nationals and partners in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the central battleground of the US-Iran-Israel conflict. Tehran’s near-complete closure of the vital trade artery since the joint Israeli-US air strikes on February 28 and the reciprocal US naval blockade imposed last month have sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is the gateway to the Gulf and main export route for countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar.
HMS Dragon is already on her way to the Middle East, having undergone additional training and preparation to ensure that crew members are ready, including further calibrating the advanced systems.
The Type 45 destroyer can use its Sea Viper missile system – assisted by Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron equipped with Marlet missiles able to deal with aerial drone threats.
The Portsmouth-based warship left the UK in March and has been helping to safeguard the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Its main role has been to defend British air bases in Cyprus after the RAF Akrotiri base was hit by an Iranian drone on March 2.
HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer, Commander Iain Giffin, said: “I’m proud that Dragon is playing such a prominent role in the UK’s presence in the region as part of a multi-national task force seeking to assure the freedom of navigation and restoring vital trade routes.
“Following our time defending Cyprus, Dragon has proven that she is ready and able to integrate with tri-service colleagues and international allies to conduct coordinated air defence and reassurance operations.
“Operating up threat from Cyprus, my crew have done an outstanding job maintaining a persistent state of readiness inside the high threat zone, poised to react and defeat anything threatening the Island.”
The GDN reported last month that Mr Healey announced they were planning to buy the cutting-edge interceptor missiles that are expected to be delivered this month to its Armed Forces and Gulf partners, to counter any future use of Iranian Shahed attack drones, as part of an agreement with Cambridge Aerospace.
The Skyhammer air defence system’s assets boast a range of 30km with a maximum speed of 700km/h.
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