9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron | |
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Active | 1962–1971, 2013–present[1] |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Mine Countermeasures Squadron |
Size | 5 ships as of 2017; 4 ships in 2023; 3 ships as of 2024-25[2] |
Home port | HMS Jufair, Bahrain |
The 9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron is a front-line squadron of the Royal Navy with responsibility for mine warfare in the Persian Gulf region. The squadron is based in Bahrain and, as of 2024-25, is equipped with three mine countermeasure vessels. Normally, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ship has also been assigned to the squadron. However, in late 2024 the squadron's normal support ship, RFA Cardigan Bay, returned to the UK for refit and acute personnel shortages in the RFA made her return to the Gulf uncertain.[3]