Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the arrival of HMS Duncan in the Gulf to support the safe passage of British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The arrival of HMS Duncan was reported yesterday evening on the 10pm news bulletins on Sky News and BBC and then today in print in The Telegraph, FT, The Herald, The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mirror, The Scotsman, The Sun, Press & Journal and Daily Record.
Freedom of navigation is crucial for the global trading system and world economy, and the Government has committed to doing all it can to defend it.
Last week, the Government confirmed that the Royal Navy has been tasked to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait, to provide reassurance to the shipping industry.
Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan will work with Type 23 Frigate HMS Montrose until she comes off duty in late August, ensuring the continuous availability of ships to accompany merchant vessels.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital not just to the UK, but also our international partners and allies.
Merchant ships must be free to travel lawfully and trade safely, anywhere in the world. I’m pleased that HMS Duncan will continue HMS Montrose's fine work in helping to secure this essential route.
While we continue to push for a diplomatic resolution that will make this possible again without military accompaniment, the Royal Navy will continue to provide a safeguard for UK vessels until this is the reality.