Falmouth’s affiliated ship RFA Mounts Bay remains on standby in the Eastern Mediterranean with the destroyer HMS Duncan, as Britons are told to leave Lebanon due to the threat of war between the country and Israel.
Some 700 British troops have been deployed to Cyprus to assist in any possible evacuation.
RFA Argus, on passage from the Indian Ocean via Cape Town, passed the Canary Islands heading north west on Tuesday bound for an undisclosed destination.
Argus is returning from major exercises off India, Malaysia and the Northern Territory, Australia.
RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus together form the UK maritime force of the Littoral Response Group (South) – a UK amphibious task group designed to react to crises east of the Suez Canal.
Still no news on the arrival of RFA Cardigan Bay from Portland for her refit at the docks.
The Government has confirmed that Truro’s affiliated ship HMS Tamar and her sister ship HMS Spey will remain in South East Asia.
Responding to a written question from Baroness Goldie regarding future deployments of these ships in Southeast Asia, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Royal Navy will maintain its presence in the region.
In responding to the query on September 25, 2024, Lord Coaker, Minister of State for Defence, stated: “Yes, the current intent is to retain a persistent forward presence with HMS Tamar and HMS Spey in the Indo-Pacific.
"The ships regularly engage in activities with Southeast Asian states, including participation in military exercises, maritime activity with the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and defence and diplomatic engagement.”
This announcement reaffirms the UK’s commitment to maintaining security and enhancing diplomatic relations in the region, particularly through continued maritime cooperation and participation in defence initiatives such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
HM ships Tamar and Spey are Batch 2 River Class offshore patrol boats. The ships sailed from Falmouth for the Indio Pacific region in September 2021.
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