South Korea Could Deploy P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to Strait of Hormuz as U.S. Confronts Iran

South Korea is considering sending P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, mine-clearance specialists, and a naval logistics ship to support security in the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul has discussed options with the United States, Britain, and France but has not made a final decision; the package could add surveillance, anti-submarine coverage, mine countermeasures, and sustainment without committing a major surface combatant. Any deployment would be significant because South Korea operates only six P-8As and depends on the strait for most of its crude-oil imports. Removing aircraft would also reduce coverage around the Korean Peninsula.