HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, three weeks after an Iranian-made drone struck the British base of RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed. The Type 45 destroyer will begin operational integration into Cyprus's defence from Monday night, Healey told MPs.
The deployment follows criticism of the UK government's slow response, after Greece and France sent additional naval support to Cyprus following the attack. The Cypriot government has expressed concern over the drone's ability to hit the base, suggesting a review of the British presence on the island.
HMS Dragon, which underwent a six-week refit in Portsmouth, was made seaworthy in six days with crews working 22-hour days. Healey also confirmed reports that Iran attempted two strikes on the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands.
Healey stated there were now an extra 500 air defence personnel in Cyprus, and that RAF and navy pilots have flown nearly 900 hours in defence of Cyprus, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. The UK has more jets in the region than at any time in the last 15 years.
HMS Dragon is equipped with a Sea Viper missile system to intercept drones and missiles. Healey confirmed the prime minister authorised the use of UK bases for US defensive strikes against Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is accused of holding hostage by laying mines and targeting ships.
