UK Deploys 'Dragon' To West Asia To Help Protect Shipping Through Strait Of Hormuz

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Last Updated:May 09, 2026, 20:05 IST

UK to deploy destroyer HMS Dragon to West Asia for a planned UK France led mission securing the Strait of Hormuz, after recent attacks on a Chinese tanker and an Indian crew dhow.

The UK defence ministry on Saturday said they will be sending a destroyer to the West Asia ahead of possible international mission to help protect shipping in Strait of Hormuz.

“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the strait, when conditions allow," a ministry spokesperson told AFP.

The ministry said the deploying HMS Dragon will give a boost to the confidence of commercial shipping and also support mine clearance efforts after the end of the war.

This comes a month after Britain and France said they were working towards military plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

According to AFP, the military planners at a two-day meeting in London in April involving more than 44 countries, discussed the practicalities of a multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect navigation in the key waterway.

Meanwhile, China on Saturday called for “concrete steps" from regional countries to resume unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the safety of civilian vessels and crew members after a Chinese-owned oil tanker was reportedly attacked near the strategic waterway.

According to Chinese media, a Chinese-owned oil products tanker marked “CHINA OWNER & CREW" was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. There were Chinese nationals on board the vessel, although no casualties were reported.

On Friday, an Indian sailor died and several others were injured after a wooden dhow carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.

Indian sailor died and several others were injured after a wooden dhow carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.

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News world UK Deploys 'Dragon' To West Asia To Help Protect Shipping Through Strait Of Hormuz

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