UK’s specialist minehunting ship arrives in Middle East

June 25, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Lyme Bay has arrived in the Middle East ahead of a potential multinational minehunting operation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Originally an amphibious support ship, Lyme Bay has been rapidly modified to serve as a mine countermeasures mothership, carrying a range of autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to detect and neutralize naval mines and other underwater explosive threats.

Royal Navy turns RFA Lyme Bay into drone mothership for mine warfare

Equipment & technology

The vessel embarked more than 270 personnel, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors, Royal Navy mine warfare and explosive ordnance disposal specialists, Royal Marines, British Army personnel, medical staff, and French sailors.

Among the systems carried aboard are autonomous surface vessels capable of deploying towed sensors and remotely operated underwater vehicles, advanced 2D and 3D sonar systems, and VideoRay Defender-Viper mine disposal submersibles used to locate, identify, and destroy mines.

The deployment comes as international efforts focus on restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Military planners are preparing to assess and, if necessary, clear mines and underwater explosive devices before commercial shipping can fully resume operations in the area.

According to estimates cited by the Royal Navy, around 450 merchant vessels, including tankers, container ships, and liquefied natural gas carriers, remain delayed in Gulf waters following hostilities that began in late February.

During its transit to the region, RFA Lyme Bay sailed through the Red Sea and Suez Canal alongside the German Navy support ship FGS Mosel and minehunter FGS Fulda. The group was escorted by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, which provided air-defense protection during the voyage.

The United Kingdom, Germany, and other partners are expected to contribute personnel and specialist capabilities to any future mine clearance effort aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted commercial traffic.