Defence Secretary discusses Red Sea mission on board one of the world's most advanced vessels

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has been speaking to the crew of HMS Diamond - one of the most advanced warships in the world - which successfully repelled the largest Houthi attack to date.

Mr Shapps was welcomed on board the highly capable Type 45 air defence destroyer to discuss her ongoing mission in the Red Sea.

HMS Diamond wrote on social media: "It was great to welcome Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP Secretary of State for Defence onboard yesterday."

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• HMS Diamond and US warships repel largest Houthi attack to date in Red Sea
• US destroyer shoots down Houthi rebel drone over Red Sea

During his visit, the Defence Secretary spoke with members of the ship's company about HMS Diamond's mission to destroy the Iranian-supplied missiles and drones that the Houthis are using to target shipping in the region.

Mr Shapps last week wrote a letter in which he praised members of the Armed Forces who were working to ensure the safety of merchant ships in the Red Sea against the Houthis - an armed group the US recently declared a terrorist organisation.

"The SofS took the opportunity to meet our fantastic Ship's Company and talk about our recent action and ongoing mission to ensure merchant shipping can safely transit the Red Sea," HMS Diamond posted on X.

HMS Diamond has already played a vital role in guarding shipping against the Houthi rebels.

Alongside US vessels, she was responsible for repelling the largest Houthi attack to date using her Sea Viper weapon systems.

According to US Central Command, the Houthis fired a mixture of Iranian-made one-way attack drones, plus anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile. All of their attacks were defeated.