Shapps emphasized that should the Houthis disregard these warnings, they will be held accountable for any resulting consequences.
According to the UK Defense Journal, on Friday, the UK deployed the HMS Richmond, a type 23 frigate, to the Gulf region as a replacement for British vessels currently patrolling the Red Sea. Grant Shapps, the UK Defense Secretary, asserted that despite the decision to send a new warship to the region, the Red Sea shipping crisis has not escalated.
Shapps explained that both the HMS Diamond and HMS Lancaster, already stationed in the area, will eventually need replacements. The UK has dispatched these ships to safeguard container ships from attacks by the Houthis, an Iran-backed terrorist organization in Yemen, which has been disrupting and attacking trade vessels attempting to navigate the Red Sea over the past two months.
A coalition spearheaded by the United States, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, is currently safeguarding merchant vessels as they navigate the Red Sea en route to the Suez Canal and Europe.
Various nations, including the United Kingdom and the United States, along with numerous coalition partners, have urged the Houthis to halt their attacks. Shapps underscored that these assaults are adversely affecting the principles of unrestricted trade.
Shapps issued a caution, stating that if the Houthis choose to disregard these warnings, they will be held accountable for the ensuing repercussions.
Numbers of Sailors Leaving UK Navy Increase
Shapps addressed inquiries regarding the growing number of sailors departing from the UK Navy, dismissing concerns about its potential impact on the country’s capacity to conduct maritime operations. He emphasized that such departures are not considered a major cause for worry.
During the Commons session, John Healey, the shadow defense secretary, remarked, “While he mentioned today that HMS Richmond is en route to the Gulf, he failed to inform the House about other Royal Navy ships prepared for the region amid these rising tensions.”
Martin Docherty-Hughes, the defense spokesperson for the Scottish National Party, expressed agreement with the government’s supportive actions for the coalition. However, he questioned the sustainability of present and future joint operations in light of the increasing departure of sailors from the service. Docherty-Hughes highlighted a significant 22.1% decline in the intake of new recruits between March 2022 and March 2023.
In response, Shapps conveyed his confidence that the Navy will maintain its operational capabilities, irrespective of the challenges mentioned.