Iran: 'Practical military plans' drawn up for HMS Dragon deployment amid aim to reopen Strait of Hormuz
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Roughly 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and liquified natural gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed
”Practical military plans” are being drawn up by British and allied officials on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - with HMS Dragon expected to play a key role.
The UK and France are set to host a meeting on May 12 to figure out how to keep the strategic waterway open once hostilities end between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition. Peace talks reached an impasse over the weekend amid fears that the fragile ceasefire could break apart.
Since roughly 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and liquified natural gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the economic impact created by its closure has been enormous. European nations are prioritising how to keep it open once the war in Iran ends. Global energy prices and costs of raw materials have soared, while supply chains across different sectors were disrupted.
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HMS Dragon, a Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer, is being pre-positioned in the Middle East after previously being deployed to protect Cyprus. Defence secretary John Healey said: “The UK is leading this multinational, defensive mission because trade, energy, and economic security for working people here at home depend on it.
“We are turning diplomatic agreement into practical military plans to restore confidence for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. When I co-chair this meeting of nations from around the world, our job will be to make sure we are not just talking, we are ready to act.
“That is why I have directed HMS Dragon to the Middle East, so Britain is in position to support this mission the moment it is needed. This government will not stand by when instability drives up costs for British families and businesses. We will give people hope for the future by securing Britain and our national interests.”
Next steps and what has HMS Dragon been doing while on deployment?
Mr Healey will co-chair the meeting of over 40 nations, alongside his French counterpart minister Catherine Vautrin. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said HMS Dragon’s forward deployment allows the UK to secure the freedom of navigation in the region, once the environment allows for it.
They added that the meeting “builds on the significant progress made in the last few weeks by military planners from 44 nations, spanning every continent”. “The plan is strictly defensive and, once conditions allow, will focus on restoring confidence for commercial shipping along this critical trade route,” they said.
“HMS Dragon could play a key role in this mission. Equipped with the advanced Sea Viper air defence system, HMS Dragon will provide a credible contribution to a defensive, multinational mission. The ship’s forward presence will help strengthen confidence among commercial shippers, support mine-clearance efforts, and protect vessels once hostilities have ceased.”
Six weeks worth of work was completed in six days to get HMS Dragon up to speed for the deployment. She left Portsmouth on March 10, with immensely proud families gathering along the Hotwalls to send their well wishes to the ship’s company.
Since then, the warship has completed rigorous weapons and sensor testing at a Nato facility off the coast of Crete. Personnel honed their skills through live firing drills in realistic high threat conditions to ensure readiness for operations in the region.