TANKER CRISIS: Second Royal Navy warship arrives in Gulf
A second Royal Navy warship has arrived in the Gulf to protect British ships amid heightened tensions in the region. HMS Duncan joins Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose to escort vessels sailing under the British flag as they pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Type 45 Destroyer or Daring-class air-defence destroyers is described by the Royal Navy as “among the most advanced warships ever built”.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK continued to push for a diplomatic resolution to the situation however, he went on to say “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.”
Mr Wallace added the Royal Navy will continue to provide a safeguard for UK vessels “until this is the reality”. HMS Montrose has so far accompanied 35 vessels through the strait, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
