Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the UK is contributing to multinational maritime security task forces in the Red Sea and Gulf regions.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to maritime security in the Middle East and to supporting regional stability alongside our regional partners.

The UK is supporting multinational maritime security efforts in the Red Sea and Gulf regions, working alongside international partners including US-led Combined Maritime Forces.

The UK is also co-leading planning efforts with the French on the Multinational Military Mission that will support safe transit for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. As part of this, the Royal Navy’s modernisation programme has delivered an autonomous mine countermeasures capability operating in the region, which continues to innovate at pace.