UK Warships Withdraw from Arabian Gulf, Shift to Unmanned Surveillance

Abu Dhabi:** British warships have departed from the Arabian Gulf, marking the first time since the 1980s that the UK will not maintain a permanent naval presence in the region, according to Emirati media reports.

The UK has decided to rely on unmanned vessels and drone technology for maritime surveillance, while its military headquarters in Bahrain will remain operational. Reports indicate that the last British mine-sweeper is scheduled to leave Bahrain in March, while the frigate was recalled late last year.

Emirati media cited cuts in the UK defense budget as a key factor limiting the number of active British warships in the region, signaling a shift toward more cost-effective and technology-driven maritime security operations.