British drones and ships to the Strait of Hormuz

TT

Published 2026-05-12 19.54

 

The picture shows the destroyer HMS Defender, which is of the same class as HMS Dragon, which is being sent to the Strait of Hormuz. Archive photo. Photo: AP/TT

The UK will send drones, minesweepers, fighter jets and warships for a future operation to secure trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

There is also interest in such an operation within the EU.

The announcement from the British Ministry of Defence comes after Tuesday evening's meeting between defence ministers from around 40 countries on what can be done to secure shipping through the strait.

A press release states that other countries also made concrete promises about what they intend to contribute to the multinational, defensive operation that will be activated “when circumstances make it possible”. Who they are is not mentioned.

The British are sending, among other things, unmanned mine sweepers, boat drones and Typhoon fighter jets to patrol the area. The destroyer HMS Dragon, which is already on its way to the region, will also be part of the operation.

The strait was also on the agenda earlier on Tuesday, when EU defense ministers met.

According to the Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the door was left ajar to expand the operation in the Red Sea – which has been ongoing since 2024 – which goes by the name Aspides – to include the Strait of Hormuz, when the war is over.