Royal Navy warships tackle huge minehunting drill in the Gulf amid tensions with Iran
HUNDREDS of Royal Navy sailors have been sharpening their skills detecting and destroying deadly mines on an exercise in the Gulf amid tensions with Iran.
Portsmouth-based minehunters HMS Brocklesby and Ledbury, joined HMS Shoreham support vessel RFA Cardigan Bay on Omani war game Khunjar Hadd – Arabic for ‘sharp dagger’.
British teams worked alongside French, Omani and US naval forces for war game, which is marking its 25th anniversary.
This year’s focus saw the four nations’ ability to keep sea lanes open tested – with the added spice of some board and search training too.
It comes amid fears Iran could mine parts of the Gulf to disrupt the multi-billion pound shipping lane, critical to global trade.
Sister ships Ledbury and Brocklesby led the way, methodically clearing a path through 40 miles of ocean. They found four dummy mines laid by exercise directors.
‘Without doubt, Khunjar Hadd has been a huge success,’ said Commander Neil Griffiths, commander of the UK mine counter measures force directing the actions of the British participants from Cardigan Bay.
‘It proved – once again – that while we are individually strong, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
‘It’s a great opportunity to prove our ability to work together, to share ideas and best ways of working, as well as demonstrating our commitment as a valued partner of Oman.’
The Royal Navy has a permanent presence in the region.
On top of the minehunters, the Senior Service also has Type 23 frigate, HMS Montrose, stationed in the region as part of a new plan to forward-deploy larger warships globally for years at a time.