Operation Kipion: the reinforced presence of the Royal Navy in the Gulf. Point

(B2) The Destroyer HMS Duncan, which left England on July 16, reached the Gulf on Sunday (July 28). He comes first to reinforce, then to relay the frigate HMS Montrose, to patrol the Strait of Hormuz

35 merchant ships accompanied

During his four months of presence, the HMS Montrose performed 20 escorts, accompanying 35 merchant ships, covering 6200 nautical miles. The Type 23 frigate made an operational break, but did not leave the area definitively. She will remain based in the Middle East until 2022 participating in the British permanent presence effort "Indicates the Royal Navy.

Two further deployments planned

The supply ship FRG Wave Knight (A-389), with 70 sailors on board, should also follow the same path in early August. A deployment of routine “, we say to the Royal Navy HQ, because planned for a long time. A vital function. The supply ship bringing water, food and fuel to ships in operation, thus avoiding their having to stop over or return to a 'friendly' port. The type 23 frigate, HMS Kent, should follow later in the year, to relay the HMS Duncan.

In the area, mine hunters and an auxiliary ship

There are already in the area, as part of a permanent deployment (Operation Kipion) in the Bahrain naval base: four minehunters, HMS Ledbury (M-30), HMS Blyth (M-111), HMS Brocklesby (M-33) and HMS Shoreham (M-112), as well as an auxiliary landing ship, the FRG Cardigan Bay (L-3009). The whole being commanded by Commodore Dean Bassett.

Participation in the CMF

The ships of the Royal Navy contribute in particular to the CMF, the joint maritime component led by the United States, which patrols the Gulf and the Indian Ocean to ensure maritime security, if necessary to demine or clear a port channel. This coalition also aims to assert a presence of Westerners in a maritime area considered strategic, also highly prized by the Russians as well as the Chinese or... the Iranians.

The key to the system: the information center at Bahrain

Last key point of the British presence in the region, the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations), the liaison nerve center of the British Navy. A valuable channel of information between military forces and merchant shipping (British or otherwise). Very popular with operators, it makes it possible to exchange information on security in the area, incidents (acts of piracy, problems on board, etc.).