It is understood that the UK military is considering the deployment of two drone types to the Middle East as it has asked US allies to help secure a key shipping lane in the region.
Donald Trump It has since urged the UK and other countries to send warships to the region to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Iran The shipping lane closed, causing oil prices to rise.
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“We are currently discussing a number of options with our allies and partners to ensure the safety of transit in the region,” the government told Sky News in a statement.
Which drones can be deployed?
As the situation heats up in the Middle East, A Ministry of Defence A (MoD) spokesman told Sky News the government would “explore” using interceptor drones – which have been successful against Iranian Shahed-type drones used by Russia in Ukraine – for the UK armed forces in the future.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips Another type of drone being considered for deployment is the mine-hunting drone.
“There are a number of things we can do, including autonomous mine-hunting equipment. And that’s something we’re certainly looking at,” he said.
He said the government was “seriously” looking at what it could do to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, vowing the UK would “work with our allies” to do so.
What are mine hunting drones?
Several oil tankers have caught fire as they try to pass through the strait south of Iran, and there is speculation that Tehran has begun placing mines along the route.
The UK could deploy autonomous mine-hunting drones to counter this threat.
Defense Secretary John Healey said earlier this week: “Now I’ve got some autonomous mine hunting systems already in place in the region before this conflict and I’m talking to planners today about additional options we can bring together with allies if action is required.”
The Royal Navy has four mine-hunting drone systems in operation or in development, including the Sweep System, an unmanned surface ship and sophisticated payloads, the SeaCat, which includes two unmanned surface ships and three sets of unmanned underwater vehicles to search for underwater threats, and the MMCM program.
A sweep system is in use. Image: Ministry of Defence
Another is the Wilton System, which includes manned and unmanned surface ships, mine-detecting payloads, and remote command centers. According to the MoD it is already operating in Scotland and the Clyde region of the Gulf.
“The Royal Navy has this capability, which is developing very rapidly,” Sky News Military analyst Michael Clarke He said.
Not tested in combat
With the sweep system, instead of using specialized minesweeper ships, military robots could be used — “but it’s a fairly young system,” Clark added.
“As far as I know it has never been tested in combat. This could be its first test if the government is willing to deploy it.
“So the government is obviously interested in offering this. I think what we can’t offer is the minesweeping ships. The last one, HMS Middleton, was decommissioned about a week ago, so we don’t have any ships to offer.”
A minehunting drone during a Royal Navy training exercise. Image: MoD
The drones could be deployed by the Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group, currently stationed in the Middle East. The Sunday Times.
The newspaper reported that it is not known how many drones are in service and could be deployed.
How do they work?
The drones search the seabed using sonar technology to detect explosive threats in water at a depth of about 1,000ft (304m).
Mine-hunting systems can replicate a ship’s signature, tricking sea mines into safely detonating them.
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They can be operated remotely from land or sea, keeping sailors out of harm’s way, said Jonathan Reed-Bevier, director of the Mine Hunting Capability Program. Royal Navy.
What are interceptor drones?
Interceptor drones are easier and cheaper to produce than long-range strike drones.
They cost less than 10% less than the Iranian Shahed drones designed to intercept Russia, which have an estimated cost of up to £36,000.
Shahed drone on display in Iran. Image: Morteza Nicoubazl/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The UK announced in September Start mass production Advanced Interceptor Drones to Help Ukraine Defend Against Russian Airstrikes.
Octopus drones, designed by Ukraine with the support of British scientists, are highly effective at destroying Shaheed drones, which Moscow continues to launch in Ukrainian cities.
It is understood that the UK government is now considering using interceptor drones against Iran’s Shahed drones in the Middle East.
Octopus interceptor drone. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
“While Octopus production is for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East has shown the benefits of Ukrainian technology and we will explore use by the UK Armed Forces in the future,” a MoD spokesman said.
“Production of British-made Octopus interceptor drones has begun and we are accelerating this work to increase Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian drone attacks.”
But this option is understood to be at an earlier stage of consideration than a potential mine-hunting drone deployment.
Ukraine leaves short
“The Ukrainians, with a lot of British help, have developed a couple of super-accurate and very powerful interceptor drones. They don’t have to blow anything up, just hit it,” military analyst Clarke said.
“If they can be produced in large enough numbers, they could potentially play a large enough role in this conflict. If they can be transferred to the Middle East quickly enough and they can be ready within weeks, they can have a major potential impact.”
A Ukrainian soldier prepares an interceptor drone during Russian airstrikes in Ukraine. Image: AP
But deploying interceptor drones to the Middle East would have a major problem, Clark said.
“Ukraine needs all the drones it can get. It’s not good for them to restock for political reasons and it’s a lot of sacrifice for Ukraine to send 20,000 to 30,000 drones to the Middle East and they’re shorting themselves,” he said.
How do interceptor drones work?
Interceptor drones such as the Octopus drone can reach speeds of around 186mph (300kmph) at an altitude of 14,800ft (4,500m).
“Octopus interceptors use frontline battlefield data to defeat Shaheed-style drones before they reach homes, hospitals and power stations,” the MoD said.
They do this either by directly colliding with a target or by detonating in the vicinity of an incoming enemy drone after being picked up by radar.
Read more: Meet Ukraine’s underground drone interceptor squad
They are equipped with four rotors, a camera and automatic aiming.
Interceptor drones can be launched in rapid succession from mobile or stationary platforms and have sensors and navigation systems onboard to enable them to quickly pivot in pursuit of a target.
