Two ships from the Royal Navy departed the United Kingdom on Tuesday on a five-year deployment, which will serve as "eyes and ears" for Britain from the west coast of Africa to the west coast of the United States. The British Ministry of Defence stated that HMS Spey and HMS Tamar have been sent on a mission from Portsmouth and will not return home until 2026.
The ships will patrol the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, moving north to the Bering Sea and south to New Zealand and Tasmania. They will work alongside Britain's allies and conduct security patrols to address drug smuggling, terrorism, and other illegal activities, as reported by CNN.
This British move comes after the government released a comprehensive review of its military and foreign policy in March, acknowledging the need to focus on the Indian and Pacific oceans in the next decade and warning of the challenges posed by China.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, "the ships will not have a permanent base in the Pacific. Instead, they will utilize the bases and ports of allies and partners as required for their missions." The ships will host up to 52 Royal Marines or other allied forces to assist with specific tasks.
