LONDON — Britain is preparing contingency plans to deploy a Royal Navy support vessel to the Strait of Hormuz equipped with autonomous mine-detection systems, The Sunday Times reported.The report said Defense Secretary John Healey has authorized plans for RFA Lyme Bay to support mine-clearance operations if required.The vessel, currently undergoing routine maintenance in Gibraltar, had been scheduled for training exercises in the Mediterranean.According to the report, RFA Lyme Bay would be fitted with autonomous systems including underwater drones and mine-hunting boats, enabling it to operate as a mothership for seabed scanning and mine disposal.A defense source said no final decision has been made on deployment, adding that the move is a precautionary step to provide options to support the safe flow of commercial shipping.The report said Royal Navy Mine and Threat Exploitation Group drones already in the region could be deployed to support the vessel.The development comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.Separately, U.S. Central Command said the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the Middle East carrying expeditionary forces.The ongoing escalation has affected energy markets and maritime traffic, with the Strait of Hormuz facing continued disruption.
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