Royal Navy: Drone Attacks in the Red Sea - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords am 2:58 pm ar 5 Chwefror 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of The Earl of Minto The Earl of Minto The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence 2:58, 5 Chwefror 2024

Your Lordships will be aware that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence will shortly update the other place on recent events in the Red Sea. I will not pre-empt that Statement. While on patrol in the Red Sea on 16 December 2023, HMS “Diamond” shot down an uncrewed aerial vehicle which was targeting merchant shipping. This is the first surface-to-air engagement by a Royal Navy vessel since 1991. The Houthis have repeatedly carried out dangerous and destabilising attacks against shipping and continue to do so. Our aim remains to de-escalate tension, but we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in the face of such continued threats.