Robot vessels deployed for dangerous mine hunting tasks

Robot vessels are now being employed to hunt mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a route described as one of the most hazardous passages for ships. Despite support from the US Navy, vessels continue to face attacks.

Former merchant navy officer and maritime consultant Steve Cameron said: "To transit the Strait of Hormuz you need agreement between the captain and the crew to take the risk. You need war risk insurance. And the captain has to make the final decision," and added: "If you're a captain, you'd like to see evidence mines aren't present,".

Modern mines rest on the seabed and detonate when they detect an acoustic or magnetic signal, triggering a pressure wave that can break a vessel’s keel. Some mines are capable of rising through shallow water, floating, or being powered toward a target. The technology behind these weapons is not difficult or costly, yet the mere threat can stop a tanker fleet from sailing.

Ian McFarlane of French defence group Thales, a naval architect familiar with mine warfare, said: "Mines are a very cheap way of waging a naval war, as the Royal Navy is acutely aware,". He noted that traditional mine‑hunting ships carry crews of about 80 sailors, whereas autonomous systems monitored from shore may require only around 20 personnel working in shifts. With recruitment and retention challenges facing NATO navies, these highly portable robot systems are very attractive.

Development of such technology has been under way for 20 years. During the 2003 Iraq war the US Navy deployed a torpedo‑shaped robot called the Remus 100 to scan the seabed for mines. Operating at depths of about 100ft and using sonar, the machines spared divers from a difficult and dangerous task.