The request would be for minesweepers. The US have 4 Avenger class minesweepers left; the Patriot, Pioneer, Warrior and Chief. All currently based in Japan, and intended for scrapping in 2027. The Devastator, Sentry, Gladiator and Dextrous were previously in the Gulf, but were decomissioned September last year, and all have arrived at Philadelphia for scrapping. The Royal Navy has 8 minesweepers in service, plus 7 Arcimus autonomous Minesweepers and 3 Thales autonomous minesweepers. HMS Middleton was the last Hunt class deployed in the Gulf, and was withdrawn at the request of the GCC in January 2026. Middleton is no longer seaworthy, like the 4 Avenger boats, and was also transported by heavy lift, and then towed into Plymouth. Its not going to be scrapped but will undergo a refit. Ledbury is involved in sea trials of new systems. Bangor is guarding the nukes. Only Cattistock I think is available for deployment. The others are either undergoing refits, or, in the case of Chiddingfold, being used as a source of spare parts.
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