Joining Gulf mine-clearing coalition would be major opportunity for Ukrainian Navy, expert says
According to Ukrinform, this was stated on Ukrainian Radio by Volodymyr Zablotskyi, a defense analyst with Defence Express, retired Navy Captain 1st Rank, and researcher at the National Museum of Military History of Ukraine.
Zablotskyi noted that one of the outcomes of the recent G7 summit in France was a discussion about the possible deployment of part of the Ukrainian Navy, currently based in the United Kingdom, to the Gulf as part of a so-called mine-clearing coalition.
"This is a major opportunity for the Ukrainian Navy, which, for well-known reasons, cannot currently be fully utilized in the Black Sea. Our minesweepers are needed there, and such vessels are in short supply. The mission would be financed by the relevant international structures, not by Ukraine. It is also an opportunity to promote the reputation of our Armed Forces and our Navy beyond the Black Sea region. This is very important under current circumstances, as Ukraine's international standing continues to grow," the expert said.
He added that participation in the mission could also strengthen cooperation with Arab countries, which are already providing assistance to Ukraine.
"This could also bring funding from Arab states, which, incidentally, are already helping us with missiles for Patriot systems in exchange for counter-drone technologies," Zablotskyi said.
The expert stressed that the naval dimension of the mission should not be underestimated.
"The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully achieved until the area is cleared of mines. And not only the Strait of Hormuz, but the entire Persian Gulf, because Iran has laid mines and deployed modern underwater barriers even within the Gulf itself. Not every navy is capable of dealing with such threats, and not every nation is currently able to deploy ships to the region. Poland, for example, is not sending its vessels. Ukraine, however, is ready to do so," he added.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated after the G7 Summit in Évian, France, that Germany is prepared to contribute military assets to help secure maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once the necessary conditions are established.
Meanwhile, Italy is relocating two naval minesweepers closer to the Strait of Hormuz but plans to deploy them as part of an international mission only after an agreement is reached to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
The United Kingdom is set to deploy autonomous mine-clearing equipment, counter-drone systems, Typhoon fighter jets, and the destroyer HMS Dragon as part of a defense mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Photo: U.S. Central Command
