Royal Navy: Defence secretary tight-lipped over sending HMS Stirling Castle to clear Strait of Hormuz mines
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
The defence secretary kept his cards close to his chest over sending a Portsmouth ship to the Middle East on a mine-clearance mission.
John Healey responded to questions in the House of Commons yesterday (March 16) about deploying HMS Stirling Castle. Acquired by the Royal Navy from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Portsmouth-based vessel was overhauled to be a mother ship for drones and be equipped with the latest mine-hunting capabilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway off the coast of Iran which 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through, has been blockaded by Iran. Cargo vessels have been targeted by missile strikes and drones, while explosives are being laid under the surface despite the US sinking 16 mine-laying vessels.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said a “viable plan” was being formulated to reopen the strait, as it was impacting energy bills and fuel prices at home. US president Donald Trump called for allies to support American forces in dealing with the blockade, after previously stating he did not need British help.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked Mr Healey what ship will be supporting the autonomous mine-clearance ships in the region. He said delays in the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published last autumn, means the mine hydrographic and countermeasures programme was being delayed for approval.
Speaking in parliament, he said: “The prime minister confirmed that autonomous mine-clearing vessels are in the Gulf. Are these vessels currently deployable and what is the support ship that will be supporting them? We’ve seen HMS Stirling Castle leave Portsmouth, but it will take three weeks to get to that region.”
Mr Healey responded: “He’s the last person in the house to expect me to set out in detail in public those operational arrangements. The Defence Investment Plan is not holding up important investment decisions. We’ve awarded over 1,200 contracts since the election. This is something I would have expected him to welcome.”
The defence secretary said the RAF have conducted more than 550 hours of defensive operations in five countries, and drones have been shot down by UK forces almost daily. “We have more jets flying in the region than at any time during the last 15 years,” he added.
The war in Iran has failed to subside after the US-Israeli began its strikes on February 28, with retaliatory actions from Tehran dragging the Middle East into chaos. According to Al Jazeera, preliminary figures have shown the death toll reach 1,444 in Iran, with 15 killed in Israel, 20 in Gulf states, as well as 13 US soldiers. Lizzi Collinge, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said there have been alleged attacks from both sides on on water desalination plants, in a breach of international law.
These are facilities that remove salts and minerals from sea water so its fit for human consumption. Ms Collinge urged the defence secretary to confirm that any British response would be fully compliant with international law. M R Healey said the strikes show complete disregard for civilian life, and any UK defence actions will be carried out on a sound legal basis.
Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, asked if personnel in RAF Akrotiri are equipped effectively against Iran’s chemical and biological weapons, and if there is enough enough capability to deal with Tehran’s “potent” and “significant” submarine fleet. Mr Healey said he asked the RAF Akrotiri base Commander if there was anything extra that was needed to protect British personnel, who stated they had everything he asked for.
Later in the House of Commons, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged Britain to deploy assets to the Strait of Hormuz. “There are currently no destroyers in the Middle East – these can operate at a very long range and can take down projectiles,” she said. “They can also provide cover for minehunter vessels. When will the Government send one?
“Under this Government, there are also no minehunters at our naval base in Bahrain, a base designed to host a fleet of minehunters. Is the Government urgently working to bring minehunters back to Bahrain to strengthen capacity and capabilities at that base and in the region?”
Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, declined to “get into detailed discussions” about pre-positioned resources but told MPs: “Indeed, there are capabilities such as autonomous mine-hunting capabilities and others.”