Red Sea – HMS Dragon and RFA Lyme Bay entered the Red Sea on June 21, 2026, together with the German ships FGS Mosel and FGS Fulda as the task group began operations in the region.

RFA Lyme Bay has been converted into a mine countermeasures mothership, carrying Royal Navy mine warfare specialists, divers, engineers, and operators of autonomous systems for missions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The minehunting vessel sent by the United Kingdom to support the restart of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has now arrived in the Middle East. The ship is equipped with about half a dozen advanced autonomous, uncrewed, and remotely operated systems.

The vessel is crewed by more than 270 personnel, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors, over 100 Royal Navy mine warfare and explosive ordnance disposal specialists, medics, Royal Marines, British Army soldiers, and French sailors.

It has been rapidly converted into a mothership designed to operate multiple new systems and craft as part of a planned multinational effort to make the entrance to the Gulf safe for merchant shipping.

RFA Lyme Bay sailed alongside the German command and support ship FGS Mosel and minehunter FGS Fulda, and was escorted through the Red Sea by the air defence destroyer HMS Dragon.

The transit took place in waters where there remains a threat of missile and drone attacks on shipping from Houthi rebels in Yemen. The German force of around 140 personnel is equipped with autonomous systems, mine clearance divers, and vessel protection teams.

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