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 mid-2025, was equipped with two 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 replacement in the Gulf uncertain.[4] In early 2025 the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Chiddingfold was also returned to the U.K.[5] while the minehunter HMS Bangor was inactive due to damage sustained in a collision. HMS Bangor was returned to the Clyde naval base on a heavy-lift vessel in preparation for refit in late November 2025.[6]
These events seemed to herald the end of the squadron's role, at least until possibly replaced by future mine countermeasures systems, since by the end of 2025 it was reported that the remaining crewed vessels assigned to 9 MCM Squadron would be withdrawn from the region over the coming months.[7]
History
1962–1971
In its original guise, the 9th Mine Sweeping Squadron (MSS) was formed of four Ton-class sweepers – HM Ships Appleton, Kemerton, Flockton and Chilcompton which were specially fitted for the rigours of operating in the Persian Gulf. The ships had their pennant numbers painted in Arabic on the stern and carried a funnel badge featuring a dhow on a yellow background.[1]
With the planned retirement of all the remaining Sandown-class vessels by 2025, and their replacement with both autonomous minehunting systems and supporting "motherships", at minimum a new configuration of the squadron was likely.[11] In February 2023, the autonomous minehunting vessel RNMB Harrier arrived in Bahrain to begin trials of autonomous systems in hot weather. The autonomous vessel was to operate from RFA Cardigan Bay.[12][13]
In April 2024 a gap in the capability of the squadron was created when Cardigan Bay deployed, initially to the Mediterranean to contribute to the British presence there in the context of the Gaza war, and then, in August, to the U.K. for refit.[14] The squadron was further reduced as the result of the return of HMS Chiddingfold to the U.K.[15] and damage sustained by HMS Bangor making her inactive.
In 2025 it was reported that while HMS Bangor is to be retained in service with the Royal Navy until about 2030, she was nevertheless returned to the U.K., with HMS Middleton to follow in 2026.[16] This may lead to the disbandment of 9 MCM Squadron, at least until an alternative capability, incorporating autonomous systems, is put in place.
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