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UK pledges planes, drones and warships for Strait of Hormuz defense mission

2026-05-12 22:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United Kingdom has said it will contribute drones, fighter jets and a warship to a joint mission aimed at protecting maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz.

Defence Secretary John Healey announced the package at a virtual summit of defence ministers on Tuesday. It includes autonomous systems to detect and clear naval mines, drone ships and Typhoon fighter jets for aerial patrols.

More than 40 other countries are involved in the mission, which, according to Healey, will begin when conditions permit.

For months, Iran has been controlling the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes - in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks.

The US, for its part, has implemented a blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to agree to its terms - a move that has angered Iran.

About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas uses this crucial waterway, the blockage of which has caused prices to rise globally.

A ceasefire has been in place between the US and Iran since April, but US President Donald Trump has said the country is on "massive life support".

Both sides have accused each other of launching attacks in the strait.

The ministry said there are already more than 1,000 British personnel deployed in the region as part of existing defensive operations, including counter-drone teams and fast jet squadrons.

The Ministry of Defence said the multinational mission - which was announced last month by the UK and France - is strictly defensive and aims to restore confidence for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the contribution is supported by new funding of £115 million for mine-hunting drones and anti-drone systems.

"With our allies, this multinational mission will be protective, independent and credible," Healey said in a statement.

Under the plan, HMS Dragon - the air defence destroyer that is already on its way to the Middle East - will also be "ready for any mission" to secure the strait, the Ministry of Defence said.

He added that another British ship, the RFA Lyme Bay, continues to be upgraded with new equipment, if required for operations in the strait.

The announcement comes as Healey offered his support to Sir Keir Starmer, while dozens of Labour Party MPs called on the Prime Minister to resign.