Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 31 July 2026. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Friday, 31 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Warships

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend occasional visits by warships exercising their right of innocent passage, such as that by HMS Medway to Puerto Arenas in Chile, and elsewhere, to continue.

Answer

The Royal Navy will continue to deploy warships globally in support of the United Kingdom’s defence, security and international engagement objectives. Royal Navy vessels routinely exercise their navigational rights in accordance with international law, including the right of innocent passage where applicable, and undertake port visits and defence engagement activities with allies and partners around the world.

Recent examples of Royal Navy global deployments include HMS Medway operating in the South Atlantic, HMS Trent conducting security and defence engagement activity in the United States and the Caribbean, HMS Spey and HMS Tamar maintaining the United Kingdom's persistent Indo-Pacific presence, and the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales undertaking operations with NATO Allies in the North Atlantic and High North. These activities demonstrate the routine global nature of Royal Navy deployments in support of defence, security and international engagement objectives.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2271
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Chile Warships HMS Medway
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Warships

Secondary information

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