Britain and the US have launched what have been described as “targeted” strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen – with the UK already having deployed at least three warships to the Red Sea.
The raids are in response to 27 attacks on vessels in the key strategic waterway involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19. A US-led international maritime task force, intended to deter Yemeni rebel attacks on commercial shipping transiting the southern Red Sea region, now numbers more than 20 nations, including the UK, as well as Canada, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Speaking last month, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Prosperity Guardian was designed to deliver safe passage for merchant shipping using the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, plus the Bab-el-Mandeb straits connecting them.
Britain is known to have sent at least three ships to the region:
HMS Diamond
The warship has joined a US-led taskforce called Operation Prosperity Guardian which aims to ensure the Red Sea remains safe for passing ships.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said on Wednesday the vessel “successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date”.
He added: “Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, the vessel’s main role is to protect other ships with air defence using its Sea Viper anti-air missile system and it can detect enemy threats “at range”.
It is nearly as tall as Nelson’s Column but designed to be “virtually impossible” for the enemy to see.
The vessel is said to have “cutting-edge military sensors” and “a range of sophisticated weapons systems” which make it “ready to detect and destroy any airborne, surface and sub surface threat”.
Ships with its name have existed for more than 400 years and there have been at least 14 in total.
HMS Richmond
The ship was the second British one deployed to the Red Sea and was dispatched there on Tuesday.
The Defence Secretary said on Twitter/X: “HMS Richmond is on its way to the Red Sea to ensure the UK maintains a formidable presence in the face of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.”
He told MPs the vessel was being deployed to replace British ones already patrolling the Red Sea as he sought to play down claims the crisis had escalated.
The type 23 frigate was designed to hunt for enemy submarines but since the end of the Cold War its role has become more varied.
It now undertakes “virtually every type of operation imaginable” from counter-narcotics and anti-piracy to disrupting people trafficking and detaining criminals.
The first ship to carry its name was launched in 1655 and took part in the Anglo-Dutch wars.
HMS Lancaster
The ship has been deployed in the Gulf of Oman near the Iranian mainland.
The US Combined Maritime Forces posted on X on Monday that illegal drugs worth £8.5million were seized from a vessel by crews from a US ship and HMS Lancaster earlier this month.
The vessel performs a variety of roles from drug-busting operations to protecting international shipping lanes.
It can deploy with a Wildcat maritime attack helicopter, which the Ministry of Defence says makes it “ideal for our most challenging defence engagement and security operations”.
The first HMS Lancaster was built in 1640 and took part in the siege of Louisbourg, Canada.
US warships in the region:
American destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason have all been deployed in the Red Sea, and are supported by aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower.
Explaining his decision this morning, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.
“This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.
“We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.”
