Royal Navy deploys Defender mine-hunting robot for Strait of Hormuz operations

The Royal Navy plans to deploy the VideoRay Defender Viper autonomous underwater vehicle aboard RFA Lyme Bay for mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz.

The system uses sonar-guided targeting and a shaped charge to destroy mines in low-visibility waters, reducing the need for divers and specialist minehunter ships.

The move highlights a broader shift toward autonomous mine countermeasures that can lower risk and speed up operations in a vital shipping chokepoint.

The Strait of Hormuz carries a major share of global oil traffic, making faster and safer mine-clearing capabilities strategically important.