HMS Diamond joins US-led operation to protect shipping in Red Sea from attack by militants
Britain is joining a US-led international coalition to protect commercial shipping sailing through the Red Sea after tankers came under attack from militants in Yemen.
Royal Navy Type 45 air defence destroyer HMS Diamond, which was deployed to the Middle East last month and saw action in the Red Sea last weekend when it shot down a drone, will join the mission.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the UK was one of a host of countries joining forces as part of the Washington-led alliance to ensure vessels could navigate safely.
Mr Austin said: "The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.
"Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles [UAVs] at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters.
"This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore, today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea."
Strengthening maritime security
Alongside HMS Diamond, the task force currently includes three US destroyers and a French warship.
The Ministry of Defence said the vessels were "currently operating in the southern Red Sea with the multinational partnership focusing on protecting freedom of navigation, international trade and human life by countering illicit non-state actors in international waters".
Bahrain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain are also joining the new mission.
Ahead of the announcement, Downing Street said the UK was in talks with international partners about how it could strengthen maritime security.
The Houthi rebels are understood to be targeting ships using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the pro-Hamas group seeking to disrupt ships bound for Israel.
HMS Diamond capabilities
The Royal Navy's HMS Diamond is a highly capable Type 45 air defence destroyer and one of the most advanced warships in the world.
HMS Diamond is a versatile and capable platform with the ability to carry out a wide range of war-fighting and constabulary duties, ranging from counter-narcotics boarding operations, acting as a task group flagship or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Her primary role has been to provide her fellow ships with air defence using the Sea Viper anti-air missile system.
The 152.4m long Type 45 destroyer is equipped with a main 4.5in, as well as the latest radars and intelligence-gathering sensors and a range of sophisticated weapons systems – ready to detect and destroy any airborne, surface and sub-surface threat.
She carries a Wildcat helicopter armed with Martlet air-to-surface missiles and can carry a specialist Royal Marines detachment for boarding operations.
More attacks in the Red Sea
BP has suspended its tanker journeys in the region due to safety concerns.
The oil giant explained: "In light of the deteriorating security situation for shipping in the Red Sea, BP has decided to temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea. We will keep this precautionary pause under ongoing review, subject to circumstances as they evolve in the region."
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that on Monday morning there were two more Houthi militant attacks against commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea.
"The chemical/oil tanker motor vessel Swan Atlantic was attacked by a one-way attack drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from a Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," it said.
"The Cayman Islands-flagged Swan Atlantic reported impact on the vessel and requested assistance, the USS Carney (CCG 64), the closest US warship, responded to assess damage."
Centcom also reported how at approximately the same time, the bulk cargo ship MV Clara reported an explosion in the water near its location.
Several shipping firms, such as Danish company Maersk, had already paused their container shipments through the area due to the surge in attacks.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman said the Government was "providing security advice to the shipping sector as necessary" but it was up to individual companies to decide whether to continue using the Red Sea route.
The No 10 official said: "We are speaking to the sector, we're speaking to our partners both internationally and in the region about how we can further strengthen maritime security, particularly in the context of the recent attacks.
"You'll understand I can’t get into the detail of what that will or will not entail."
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps joined a virtual call this morning with his US counterpart and around 20 other Defence Ministers from across the globe to discuss the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
During the meeting, Ministers agreed that this was an international problem that affected all of global trade and risked severe economic consequences, and agreed to work together on an international solution.
Mr Shapps said: "These illegal attacks are an unacceptable threat to the global economy, undermining regional security and are threatening to drive up fuel prices.
"This is an international problem that requires an international solution. That is why HMS Diamond has joined Operation Prosperity Guardian. This new task force will protect shipping and vital trade routes in the Red Sea, where large amounts of goods and oil transit through to Europe and on to the UK.
"Our Royal Navy personnel are protecting British interests in an increasingly contested part of the world. Their valuable contribution to upholding peace and security should not be underestimated and we thank them for their service, especially during this festive period."
The MOD, when asked about what resources the UK was providing to the international shipping mission in the Middle East, pointed to HMS Diamond being sent to the region last month.
Her deployment followed increasing concerns over maritime security at narrow sea trade routes worldwide, known as chokepoints.
The MOD added: "The waters of the Gulf are vital routes for merchant shipping, including for tankers carrying much of the UK's supply of liquefied natural gas.
"Around 50 large merchant ships each day pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, while around 115 major merchant ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz."
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