The UK Royal Navy has deployed its mine countermeasure vessel, HMS Middleton, in Bahrain to carry out mine countermeasures to safeguard cargo ships along the IRTC trade route.

The minehunter will remain in the Gulf for three years as one of the four Op Telic mine countermeasures vessels based in the region, according to middletonguardian.co.uk.

In addition, the ship’s company will work in cooperation with other coalition and regional forces in an effort to enhance their training and safeguard the surrounding waters.