The United Kingdom is deploying underwater drones in the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iranian-laid mines in the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel. The drones are part of Britain’s effort to ensure the safety of commercial shipping through this crucial international trade route.
UK Defence Secretary John Haley told The Sunday Times that preparations are underway to send a large British naval vessel to the region. The ship, named RFA Lyme Bay, spans 580 feet in length and is traditionally used as a logistics vessel to transport weapons, equipment, and personnel. It is now being modified to carry and operate underwater drones and related equipment.
The drones are autonomous and powered by artificial intelligence, equipped with advanced sensors to detect mines both on the surface and underwater. Once identified, the drones are capable of neutralizing these threats. In addition to RFA Lyme Bay, the UK is dispatching warships and aircraft to the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters to provide security for commercial shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, is a key global energy corridor. Around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied gas shipments pass through this narrow waterway daily. The route, often referred to as the “global energy gateway,” is vital for oil exports from Middle Eastern producers such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iraq. Without it, energy supplies to Western nations could be severely disrupted.
Following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, Iran imposed a blockade in the Strait, preventing vessels of the US, Israel, and their allies from transiting. Over the past month, the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has attacked multiple ships in the region. According to UK maritime authorities, more than a dozen commercial oil tankers have been targeted in Iranian strikes during this period.
Britain’s deployment of AI-powered underwater drones marks a significant step in safeguarding international trade and energy security amid escalating Middle East tensions.
