Royal Navy Deploys Mine-Hunting Drone as 15-Nation Hormuz Coalition Takes Shape

## Royal Navy Leads Multinational Mine-Clearance Push in Hormuz The Royal Navy has deployed a new underwater mine disposal system aboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel *RFA Lyme Bay* as Britain and France move to finalise plans for a significant multinational operation aimed at clearing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, according to gCaptain. The operation is taking shape as a 15-nation coalition, underscoring the scale of international concern over mine threats in one of the world's most strategically critical waterways. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary transit route for approximately 20 percent of global oil trade, making any mining activity there a direct threat to energy security and international shipping. ### A New Capability Afloat The deployment of the new mine-hunting drone system marks a notable step forward in the Royal Navy's counter-mine warfare capabilities. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) have increasingly become the preferred tool for mine disposal operations, removing personnel from harm's way while offering greater precision and endurance than traditional manned diving teams. *RFA Lyme Bay*, a Bay-class landing ship dock operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, provides a capable mothership platform for such systems, with the vessel having previously supported a range of amphibious and humanitarian operations. ### Coalition Building The involvement of 15 nations signals a broad consensus among Western and regional partners that the mine threat in the Hormuz region requires a coordinated multilateral response. Britain and France, both with significant naval assets and experience in mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, are reported to be taking a leading role in the coalition's planning and execution. The Strait of Hormuz has periodically been the focus of mine-related incidents and threats in recent years, with the waterway's narrow geography making it particularly vulnerable to disruption. Any sustained mining campaign in the strait would have immediate and severe consequences for global energy markets and the broader shipping industry. ### Industry Implications For maritime operators, insurers, and energy traders, the formation of a dedicated multinational MCM coalition represents a meaningful effort to safeguard freedom of navigation in the region. War risk insurance premiums for vessels transiting the Gulf have historically spiked during periods of heightened tension, and a credible international presence may help stabilise the operating environment. Further details on the coalition's composition, mandate, and operational timeline are expected as planning between the participating nations advances. *Source: gCaptain*