Officials say operation to use autonomous mine-hunters, Type 45 destroyers, uncrewed vessels to protect tankers.The initiative would form part of a broader multinational effort involving allies, including the US and France, to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait, one of the world’s most critical transit routes.
Officials cited by The Times said the operation could unfold in multiple phases.
The initial stage would focus on mine-hunting using advanced autonomous systems launched from the mothership.
A second phase could see the deployment of uncrewed surface vessels alongside the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, or solely the destroyers, to protect tankers transiting the area.
“We have world leading capabilities in terms of autonomous mine hunting, as well as fantastic destroyer capability with our Type 45s, and also the development of hybrid navy concept, which provides us with opportunities to avoid putting people into harm’s way to help secure the strait,” said an official.
UK defense officials believe naval mines have been laid in the strait, although there remains “a clear path” as Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese ships have continued to transit the waterway.
The regional escalation in the Middle East has continued since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
The Strait of Hormuz has also been effectively throttled since early March. Around 20 million barrels of oil normally pass through it daily, and its disruption has driven up shipping costs and pushed global oil prices higher.
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