Britain to send mine-hunting drones and warship to protect Hormuz shipping lanes

Britain has announced a fresh military deployment to support a multinational mission aimed at protecting shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, as the Iran war continues to disrupt global oil trade. The UK will contribute Typhoon fighter jets, autonomous mine-hunting systems, drone boats and the destroyer HMS Dragon, backed by £115 million in new defence funding. The move comes amid growing concerns over maritime security and energy supplies, with nearly 20% of the world’s oil trade passing through the strategic waterway.