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Royal Navy officer heads Gulf anti-mine exercise | Royal Navy officer heads Gulf anti-mine exercise |
(1 day later) | |
A UK naval officer is in charge of running the world's largest anti-mine warfare exercise in the Gulf. | A UK naval officer is in charge of running the world's largest anti-mine warfare exercise in the Gulf. |
The US, Canada, Australia, France and Germany are among the 40 nations taking part alongside the Royal Navy, with 35 warships and 6,000 military involved. | The US, Canada, Australia, France and Germany are among the 40 nations taking part alongside the Royal Navy, with 35 warships and 6,000 military involved. |
The exercise will test new technologies including underwater robots in countering the threat from mines. | The exercise will test new technologies including underwater robots in countering the threat from mines. |
It is being seen as a direct response to past threats to block the key shipping lanes. | It is being seen as a direct response to past threats to block the key shipping lanes. |
The International Maritime Exercise Force (IMEF) drill aims to protect the free movement of the shipping lanes and test the response time of the coalition of navies. | The International Maritime Exercise Force (IMEF) drill aims to protect the free movement of the shipping lanes and test the response time of the coalition of navies. |
Royal Navy Commodore Simon Ancona, who leads the IMEF, is also the commander of the UK component in the exercise. | Royal Navy Commodore Simon Ancona, who leads the IMEF, is also the commander of the UK component in the exercise. |
Around 17 million barrels of oil pass through the Gulf's narrow Strait of Hormuz each day - some 30% of the world's energy. | Around 17 million barrels of oil pass through the Gulf's narrow Strait of Hormuz each day - some 30% of the world's energy. |
Just 25 miles wide, it is a maritime "chokepoint" that carries the lifeblood of the global economy. It's one of the busiest and potentially most volatile stretches of water. | Just 25 miles wide, it is a maritime "chokepoint" that carries the lifeblood of the global economy. It's one of the busiest and potentially most volatile stretches of water. |
If it was blocked for a week, the UK would suffer major power shortages. | If it was blocked for a week, the UK would suffer major power shortages. |
Simulated attack | Simulated attack |
HMS Atherstone is one of four Royal Navy minehunters permanently stationed in the region. | HMS Atherstone is one of four Royal Navy minehunters permanently stationed in the region. |
All four ships are taking part in the exercise, alongside HMS Dragon, a new type-45 Destroyer and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Cardigan Bay, which normally supports warships around the world. Some 600 Royal Navy sailors are involved. | All four ships are taking part in the exercise, alongside HMS Dragon, a new type-45 Destroyer and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Cardigan Bay, which normally supports warships around the world. Some 600 Royal Navy sailors are involved. |
On board HMS Atherstone the crew conduct a live-fire exercise in a simulated attack against the ship. | |
Atherstone's Captain, Lt Commander Ben Vickery, says: "My team are well trained to look out for any ship, they're there 24 hours a day making sure I can respond to any threat that might come my way." | Atherstone's Captain, Lt Commander Ben Vickery, says: "My team are well trained to look out for any ship, they're there 24 hours a day making sure I can respond to any threat that might come my way." |
He doesn't say what that threat may be. But up on the bridge there's a board showing the vessels used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC. | He doesn't say what that threat may be. But up on the bridge there's a board showing the vessels used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC. |
Though he is careful to describe relations with Iran, a competing power in the region, as "cordial and professional". | Though he is careful to describe relations with Iran, a competing power in the region, as "cordial and professional". |
'Drone technology' | 'Drone technology' |
The two-week exercise though is about being prepared for the worst. | The two-week exercise though is about being prepared for the worst. |
Whether it is dropping Navy divers by fast boat, or from a helicopter just metres above the waves, to search for dummy mines. | Whether it is dropping Navy divers by fast boat, or from a helicopter just metres above the waves, to search for dummy mines. |
But they're also turning to remote or unmanned underwater vehicles. | |
US and British mine hunters are increasingly using the latest "drone technology" to deal with the deadly mines. The Royal Navy has invested in a system called Seafox. | US and British mine hunters are increasingly using the latest "drone technology" to deal with the deadly mines. The Royal Navy has invested in a system called Seafox. |
Shaped like a torpedo it's fitted with sonar, a powerful torch and a camera that can feed live pictures to a ship as its controlled by the crew on board. | Shaped like a torpedo it's fitted with sonar, a powerful torch and a camera that can feed live pictures to a ship as its controlled by the crew on board. |
Later in the exercise, the nations involved will be reacting to a range of scenarios including dealing with mass casualties and escorting merchant shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - right under Iran's nose. | Later in the exercise, the nations involved will be reacting to a range of scenarios including dealing with mass casualties and escorting merchant shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - right under Iran's nose. |
Iran has warned against any provocation. But Cmdr Ancona, insists it is a defensive exercise. | Iran has warned against any provocation. But Cmdr Ancona, insists it is a defensive exercise. |
He said: "I don't think it can be seen as provocative, it is irrefutably defensive. I mean there is nothing offensive about mine sweeping." | He said: "I don't think it can be seen as provocative, it is irrefutably defensive. I mean there is nothing offensive about mine sweeping." |
That's probably not how Iran views it. | That's probably not how Iran views it. |
US presence | US presence |
As well as an US aircraft carrier in the area, the USS Ponce is another permanent presence in the Gulf. | As well as an US aircraft carrier in the area, the USS Ponce is another permanent presence in the Gulf. |
It is the US Navy's floating base that can carry helicopters, fast boats and mine clearance divers. It can also accommodate US Special Forces. | It is the US Navy's floating base that can carry helicopters, fast boats and mine clearance divers. It can also accommodate US Special Forces. |
Soon it will also be fitted with a laser capable of shooting down small planes and boats. Her Captain, Jon Rodgers, also describes relations with Iranian navy vessels operating in the very same waters as "professional". | Soon it will also be fitted with a laser capable of shooting down small planes and boats. Her Captain, Jon Rodgers, also describes relations with Iranian navy vessels operating in the very same waters as "professional". |
He says "they take photos of us and we take photos of them", before adding with a smile that "we just make sure we take more photos". | He says "they take photos of us and we take photos of them", before adding with a smile that "we just make sure we take more photos". |
The USS Ponce is also the command centre for this exercise. | The USS Ponce is also the command centre for this exercise. |
In the operations room down below sailors from various countries sit alongside each other in front of large screens displaying a digital live map of the activities in the busy Gulf. | In the operations room down below sailors from various countries sit alongside each other in front of large screens displaying a digital live map of the activities in the busy Gulf. |
'Not about Iran' | 'Not about Iran' |
Not all the nations involved though want to make public their presence. Perhaps a sign that some may be nervous about offending a near neighbour. | Not all the nations involved though want to make public their presence. Perhaps a sign that some may be nervous about offending a near neighbour. |
The reality is that despite recent Iranian threats, mines have not been laid in the Gulf for more than twenty years. But there is a shadow war taking place in the region. | The reality is that despite recent Iranian threats, mines have not been laid in the Gulf for more than twenty years. But there is a shadow war taking place in the region. |
Iran too has been conducting its own mine clearing exercise and says it is now closely monitoring what is happening off Bahrain - the home of the US Fifth Fleet. | Iran too has been conducting its own mine clearing exercise and says it is now closely monitoring what is happening off Bahrain - the home of the US Fifth Fleet. |
US Navy Commodore Glen Allen insists the exercise is "not about Iran". | US Navy Commodore Glen Allen insists the exercise is "not about Iran". |
But he acknowledges that it's one of a number of nations that has stockpiles of mines. In all, some 60 countries hold around 250 thousand sea mines, which he describes as an indiscriminate weapon. | But he acknowledges that it's one of a number of nations that has stockpiles of mines. In all, some 60 countries hold around 250 thousand sea mines, which he describes as an indiscriminate weapon. |
But he adds that "terrorist organisations" too may have nefarious reasons for getting hold of them. | But he adds that "terrorist organisations" too may have nefarious reasons for getting hold of them. |
As recently as 2011, the Royal Navy Minehunter HMS Brocklesby responded to threats off the coast of Libya when pro-Gaddafi forces tried to block the port of Misrata with mines. | As recently as 2011, the Royal Navy Minehunter HMS Brocklesby responded to threats off the coast of Libya when pro-Gaddafi forces tried to block the port of Misrata with mines. |
Commodore Allen acknowledges there are "threats" in the region, before qualifying his remark. He says it's only really a threat if there is intent: "I currently see no intent". | Commodore Allen acknowledges there are "threats" in the region, before qualifying his remark. He says it's only really a threat if there is intent: "I currently see no intent". |