The Royal Navy’s fading presence in the Middle East
Until recently, the RN maintained a meaningful force of at least 6 ships based in Bahrain. For a variety of reasons, this force may soon just comprise of two ships.
Mine warfare
HMS Bangor being repaired in Bahrain following damage sustained earlier this year
The RN’s sole remaining Sandown-class minehunter HMS Bangor is being repaired after she was struck by HMS Chiddingfold while alongside in January. More
Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team disbanded
After a decade of service, the RN Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team (MASTT) was formally disbanded last week. The equipment tested by MASTT is transitioning to operational capability and the trials team will be absorbed into the Mine & Threat Exploitation Group.
The Royal Navy wants three new-build mine hunting motherships
It has emerged that the RN plans to acquire up to three ‘survivable, non-complex warships’ designed from the outset to be motherships for autonomous mine-hunting boats.
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A naval accident in context – Royal Navy minehunters collide in Bahrain
Here we consider the implications of the unfortunate collision of two Royal Navy ships in Bahrain, seen in the wider context of peacetime naval accidents.
Up close with RFA Stirling Castle – first of the navy’s new motherships
In this article, we examine the layout, equipment and initial trials programme for RFA Stirling Castle, the first of the vessels recently purchased by the RN for use as a mothership.
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Should the Royal Navy rebuild its minelaying capability?
The RN currently has no stock of sea mines or dedicated minelaying platforms. Here we look at whether regenerating this capability would be worthwhile and the options available.
Royal Navy autonomous mine hunting at the sharp end
As the RN begins the transition from crewed minehunters to autonomous systems, the first boat has been deployed to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. This is a small but significant step and much rests upon the success of this vessel in the operational environment.
Mothership to support autonomous mine hunting systems arrives in the UK
Offshore Support Vessel, MV Island Crown arrived in Devonport yesterday on her delivery voyage from Ulsteinvik, Norway. She will join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and operate Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV) in support of mine countermeasures tasks around the UK and in European waters.
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