THE SUN
BRITAIN is sending eight warships on missions – from the Baltic to the Gulf – amid fears that Russian meddling and Gaza war could spiral into global conflict.
HMS Diamond, a guided missile destroyer, will steam through the Suez Canal in a show of force to Hamas backers Iran
The Type 45 destroyer is one of the Navy’s most powerful warships armed with dozens of Sea Viper missiles that can intercept rockets, jets, drones and intercontinental ballistic missiles up to 75 miles away.
Combined with the vessel’s Samson radar the ship can track up to 1,000 objects the size of small as a tennis ball travelling three times the speed of sound.
Its mission follows a spate of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
They hijacked a cargo ship on Nov 19 and fired missiles and drones at Israel and a US warship the USS Mason.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said HMS Diamond’s main mission was to act as a “deterrent” to Iran.
He said: “Iran, under the wrong circumstances, may try to stir this all up.”
He added: “It is critical that the UK bolsters our presence in the region, to keep Britain and our interests safe.”
HMS Defender will join the frigate HMS Lancaster, three Royal Navy mine hunters and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship already in the region.
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