Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support maritime security in the Red Sea.

As stated by the Secretary of State for Defence in his Written Ministerial Statement of 19 December; the MOD has bolstered its contribution to maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. HMS DIAMOND is in the region in support of Op PROSPERITY GUARDIAN, a US led international operation established to protect freedom of navigation throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

On 16 December HMS DIAMOND shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle in the Red Sea, the first surface-to-air engagement by a Royal Navy vessel since 1991.

On 3 January the UK and 11 other countries issued a statement condemning the unjustified attacks on maritime shipping through the Red Sea.

On 10 January 2023, the UK and US successfully repelled the largest and most complex attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date. HMS DIAMOND and US warships destroyed multiple attack drones deployed by the Houthis with HMS DIAMOND using Sea Viper missiles and guns.

The UK and allies remain committed to the international rules-based order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks. The UK has condemned the attacks and is willing to take the action needed to protect innocent lives and freedom of navigation.