HMS Richmond has arrived in the Red Sea (Image: Ministry of Defence)
The Commander of HMS Diamond has admitted the situation in the Red Sea is “fraught” as the warship was replaced on Tuesday.
HMS Richmond arrived in the Middle East and took over responsibility for protecting cargo ships in the region.
Powered By
00:00/01:12
10
10
EU naval mission to protect ships in Red Sea set to be launched on 19 February
Share
Next
Stay
Navy chiefs have revealed the Type-23 frigate is armed with Sea Ceptor missiles, which can strike speedboats and other “fast attack crafts”.
While having a shorter range than the Sea Viper missiles used by HMS Diamond, the Royal Navy insisted HMS Richmond can shoot missiles, aircrafts and drones out of the sky in an area the size of Greater Manchester.
Royal Marines have been deployed as part of the vessel’s company.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Houthi rebels attacked HMS Diamond three times (Image: Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is hoping the consistent presence of warships in the Red Sea will deter Houthi rebels from attacking cargo ships and tankers transiting through the region.
HMS Diamond Commander Peter Evans said: “The situation in the region is fraught, and ships in the force are firing on a daily basis – we hand over the baton with our best wishes to the fantastic team in Richmond who we know will do a great job.
“Having deployed at just five days’ notice we’re used to quickly switching aim, and now our focus is on a short maintenance and ammunition resupply period before we get back to our mission in the Red Sea.”
Houthi fighters targeted HMS Diamond three times in separate attacks. Royal Navy sailors shot nine drones out of the sky using the Sea Viper missile system.
Officials said the UK “continues to be at the forefront of the international response”, targeting weapons smugglers and conducting airstrikes on Houthi missile launchers.
HMS Richmond is armed with missiles to shoot small boats (Image: Ministry of Defence)
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is committed to protecting freedom of navigation. I visited HMS Diamond in January and thanked the Ship’s Company for their incredible work defending freedom of navigation, saving innocent lives and ensuring merchant shipping is protected from the illegal Houthi attacks.
“I am confident that HMS Richmond will carry on her impressive work.”
HMS Diamond will now undergo a period of maintenance and resupply.
A British-owned cargo vessel was attacked in the Red Sea on Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The attack on the ship happened west of Hodeida in Yemen just after midnight on Tuesday.
The UKMTO said the ship's master was "aware of a small craft on his port side" before a projectile was fired at the ship.
No crew were injured in the attack and the vessel sustained small damages to its bridge windows, but the ship was deemed safe to continue its journey.
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
HMS Diamond is returning to the UK to resupply (Image: Ministry of Defence)
Trending
In a separate incident, an explosion was reported close to a merchant vessel around 50 nautical miles from Aden, Yemen.
The Yemen-based Houthi group has targeted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming its actions are in response to Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza - an assertion dismissed by the UK and allies.
The dangers to shipping using the sea routes have forced many vessels travelling between Asia and Europe to divert around the southern tip of Africa instead of using the Suez Canal, increasing costs and lengthening delivery times.
In Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak updated his Cabinet on the latest developments in the region.
He said joint US and UK strikes had had a "significant effect in degrading Houthi capability".
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Royal Marines unveil revamped vessel set to deliver 'a lethal punch' if WW3 breaks out
202 Comments
Minister gives 'whopping great clue' British aircraft carrier will deploy to Red Sea
140 Comments
Urgent warning after weakness in Britain's army exposed as UK 'risks getting caught out'
40 Comments
British cargo ship attacked by drone in Red Sea during suspected Houthi rebel assault
12 Comments
Huge blow for UK Navy ￡3bn warship as it pulls out of major NATO exercise at last minute
568 Comments
Vladimir Putin humiliated as ‘invincible' missile shot down during airstrike on Kyiv
34 Comments
China generated 'world's leading arsenal' of terrifying new hypersonic missiles
Comments
Britain could plug military gap in Red Sea with 'awe-inspiring' HMS Queen Elizabeth
36 Comments
Princess Anne leaves crowds in hysterics by making hilarious demand about chocolate cake
175 Comments
Britain set to test nukes in huge flexing of military muscles with Trident 2
160 Comments
Our war with the Houthis is winnable but it'll take time says Lt Col Stuart Crawford
9 Comments
Falkland Islands left vulnerable as Navy abandons crucial warship patrols
89 Comments
We need a proper plan and genuine bottle to win WW3
23 Comments
Vladimir Putin loses another high ranking officer as general killed in Storm Shadow strike
28 Comments
Sainsbury's warns shoppers to prepare for tea shortage at UK supermarkets
252 Comments
Brexit Britain edging closer to surprise diplomatic move to help end Houthi Red Sea crisis
166 Comments
British ship blasted by Houthi drone in latest Red Sea attack
229 Comments
Royal Navy's ￡3.2bn warship sent to replace faulty carrier also plagued by problems
164 Comments
Iran-backed Houthi rebels will target all British warships in Red Sea 'in self-defence'
98 Comments
Jets scrambled as Vladimir Putin sends nuclear-capable missile carriers over NATO waters
15 Comments
Royal Marines unveil revamped vessel set to deliver 'a lethal punch' if WW3 breaks out
202 Comments
Minister gives 'whopping great clue' British aircraft carrier will deploy to Red Sea
140 Comments
Urgent warning after weakness in Britain's army exposed as UK 'risks getting caught out'
40 Comments
British cargo ship attacked by drone in Red Sea during suspected Houthi rebel assault
12 Comments
Huge blow for UK Navy ￡3bn warship as it pulls out of major NATO exercise at last minute
568 Comments
Vladimir Putin humiliated as ‘invincible' missile shot down during airstrike on Kyiv
34 Comments
China generated 'world's leading arsenal' of terrifying new hypersonic missiles
Comments
Britain could plug military gap in Red Sea with 'awe-inspiring' HMS Queen Elizabeth
36 Comments
Princess Anne leaves crowds in hysterics by making hilarious demand about chocolate cake
175 Comments
Britain set to test nukes in huge flexing of military muscles with Trident 2
160 Comments
Our war with the Houthis is winnable but it'll take time says Lt Col Stuart Crawford
9 Comments
Falkland Islands left vulnerable as Navy abandons crucial warship patrols
89 Comments
We need a proper plan and genuine bottle to win WW3
23 Comments
Vladimir Putin loses another high ranking officer as general killed in Storm Shadow strike
28 Comments
Sainsbury's warns shoppers to prepare for tea shortage at UK supermarkets
252 Comments
Brexit Britain edging closer to surprise diplomatic move to help end Houthi Red Sea crisis
166 Comments
British ship blasted by Houthi drone in latest Red Sea attack
229 Comments
Royal Navy's ￡3.2bn warship sent to replace faulty carrier also plagued by problems
164 Comments
Iran-backed Houthi rebels will target all British warships in Red Sea 'in self-defence'
98 Comments
Jets scrambled as Vladimir Putin sends nuclear-capable missile carriers over NATO waters
15 Comments
Royal Marines unveil revamped vessel set to deliver 'a lethal punch' if WW3 breaks out
202 Comments
Minister gives 'whopping great clue' British aircraft carrier will deploy to Red Sea
140 Comments
Urgent warning after weakness in Britain's army exposed as UK 'risks getting caught out'
40 Comments
British cargo ship attacked by drone in Red Sea during suspected Houthi rebel assault
12 Comments
Huge blow for UK Navy ￡3bn warship as it pulls out of major NATO exercise at last minute
568 Comments
Vladimir Putin humiliated as ‘invincible' missile shot down during airstrike on Kyiv
34 Comments
China generated 'world's leading arsenal' of terrifying new hypersonic missiles
Comments
"The Prime Minister added that while we will always act in self-defence to protect freedom of navigation and the safety of British lives at sea, the UK is not seeking confrontation and our fundamental aim is to de-escalate tensions in the region and deter further attacks," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
"The Foreign Secretary added that we continue to build a broad coalition of support for the site strikes, with six countries in addition to the UK and the US playing part of the military coalition and 24 countries signing the most recent statement of support."
Related articles Royal Navy warship 'to target cruel smugglers bringing migrants to Eur Russian warship spotted in the English Channel as Royal Navy on high alert Three ships Britain has sent to attack Iran-backed Houthi rebels