Portsmouth-based warship HMS Dragon sent to protect British military personnel in Cyprus following attack
The UK will send helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to protect British military personnel in Cyprus, the prime minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the UK would be sending the Portsmouth-based HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, after RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone.
Sir Keir posted on X: “The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there.
“We’re continuing our defensive operations and I’ve just spoken with the president of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region.
“We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
There were some suggestions online that HMS Dragon was in deep maintenance and HMS Duncan could be sent, but a Government source said these were incorrect and the destroyer was being “readied as we speak”.
She is listed as moving to Victory Jetty in Portsmouth Harbour at 10.15pm this evening (March 3), according to a Royal Navy listing of shipping movements. Two Wildcat helicopters will join the vessel, equipped with Martlet missiles – which are designed to counter drone attacks.
HMS Dragon, which has a Welsh red dragon emblazoned across its bow, is crewed by more than 200 people. Designed for air defence, it is equipped with a Sea Viper anti-air missile system.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/portsmouth-based-hms-dragon-sent-to-british-military-personnel-in-cyprus-5618892
Starmer moving quickly, ship should be there in about a week, give or take a bit.
War will probably be over by the time it arrives.