London: Britain is preparing to deploy a Royal Navy evacuation vessel to the Strait of Hormuz, equipped with a fleet of autonomous drones designed for mine detection and clearance.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Sunday Times reported that the UK Defense Secretary, John Healey, has authorized contingency plans for the Bay-class ship RFA Lyme Bay to support mine-clearance efforts in the region.

Last week, UK ministers announced that RFA Lyme Bay, which is currently undergoing maintenance in Gibraltar, would initially be sent to the Mediterranean for training exercises. However, sources cited by the Sunday Times indicated that the ship might be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel is expected to be equipped in Gibraltar with autonomous mine-clearance systems, including underwater drones and mine-hunting boats.

A defense source mentioned that no final decision has been taken regarding the deployment to the Strait of Hormuz but described the preparation as a preventative step to provide ministers with options if needed. The Royal Navy Mine and Threat Exploitation Group’s drones, already in the region, are expected to support operations aboard RFA Lyme Bay. This ship can carry up to 500 troops and includes onboard medical and weapons systems.

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has been tense, with US forces arriving in the region amid ongoing conflicts. A US amphibious assault vessel, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), has reached the US Central Command area. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli air offensives with drone and missile strikes targeting various countries, disrupting markets and aviation.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil, has seen significant disruption since early March, affecting around 20 million barrels of oil that typically pass through daily. This disruption has led to increased shipping costs and higher global oil prices.