In an effort to help stop the smuggling activities in the Mediterranean, Britain has offered to send its warship HMS Richmond to assist in the EU’s mission.
HMS Richmond, carrying a surveillance drone, a helicopter and 200 marines and sailors onboard will be used against smugglers who operate in the waters between North Africa and Europe. It will most likely be stationed off the Libyan coast where it will be operating. The ship is going to be part of a naval operation which will see European units boarding, seizing and diverting boats in the Mediterranean, reports The Guardian.
Britain already has one vessel operating in the Mediterranean, HMS Enterprise, which has been involved in the first phase of operations.
HMS Enterprise was sent to replace HMS Bulwark, which rescued 3,000 people from small boats operated by the gangs between North Africa and Europe in July this year.
HMS Enterprise has been essential in the efforts to move the mission to its next stage. Richmond will support the operational commander in the next phase which aims to conduct operations to board and seize vessels in the southern Mediterranean, states the Ministry of Defense.
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Image: Royal Navy