No plans to send additional assets to patrol Red Sea, UK Government says
The UK Government does not plan to send "additional assets" to patrol the Red Sea, No 10 said, as it condemned the "destabilising" attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
In December, Royal Navy Type 45 air defence destroyer HMS Diamond joined a US-led international coalition to protect commercial shipping sailing through the Red Sea after tankers came under attack from militants in Yemen.
Asked whether more warships could join HMS Diamond in the region, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said "no decisions have been made".
The spokesman said: "You will appreciate, given the operational nature of this, I can't get into a lot of detail.
"Planning is under way for a range of scenarios. No decisions have been made. We will continue to pursue all potential routes, including diplomatic routes.
"The Houthis should be under no misunderstanding, we are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks because the situation in the Red Sea is serious. These attacks are unacceptable, they are destabilising."
The spokesman added: "The UK is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, which is the task force working in the region, and we have other assets available.
"In terms of other military assets, there are not currently any plans to send additional assets over and above what we already have in the region."
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the formation of Op Prosperity Guardian in December.
The UK is one of the many countries joining forces as part of the Washington-led alliance looking to ensure commercial vessels can navigate the region in safety.
Last month, HMS Diamond shot down an attack drone that was believed to have been attempting to target merchant shipping in the Red Sea. One Sea Viper missile was launched, successfully destroying the target.
Diamond joined HMS Lancaster, which has been stationed in the Gulf since 2022.
Alongside HMS Diamond, the task force currently includes three US destroyers and a French warship.
Bahrain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain have also joined the mission.
In December, the Ministry of Defence (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.
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."
Join Our Newsletter
