STORY
The UK is to contribute drones, Typhoon jets and a Royal Navy warship to a multinational mission intended to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced the UK contribution at a virtual summit of defence ministers, with more than 40 nations represented. The Government said the defensive mission would become operational when conditions allow and would be backed by £115 million of new funding for mine-hunting drones and counter-drone systems.
The UK package will include advanced autonomous mine-hunting equipment, military mine-clearance specialists, Typhoon jets ready to conduct air patrols and HMS Dragon, which is deploying to the Middle East. The Royal Navy’s modular ‘Beehive’ system will also be available, using autonomous drone boats to help detect, track and identify potential threats.