The HMS Dragon finally set sail from Portsmouth Naval Base on Tuesday, heading towards Cyprus eight days after a Shahed-type drone struck a hangar believed to be housing U2-spy bombers at the British airbase at Akrotiri.
The Type 45 Destroyer will be the first major warship of the British Royal Navy in the Mediterranean region, according to the BBC, since the US and Israel launched an aerial and naval war against Iran on February 28, 2026.
The British government conveyed its decision to send the HMS Dragon to Cyprus after coming under verbal fire from the Cypriot government over the seemingly inadequate protection of the British bases and the Cypriot residents living there.
Cyprus exposed, Europe mobilises
Cypriot officials bemoaned the fact that the bases have been under significant threat for a while now from various actors – including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. When a low-flying drone, likely launched from southern Lebanon, found its target in Akrotiri on March 2, followed by four attempted drone and missile attacks, alarm bells rang in Nicosia. Given the vulnerability of Cypriot civilians living within the bases, as well as the reputational damage to the tourism-reliant economy, the Cypriot government called on EU partners to fill the security gap. Greece, France, Spain and Italy responded, sending frigates, fighter jets, air defence systems and an aircraft carrier.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to Paphos ‘Andreas Papandreou’ airbase to meet with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis. In what appears to be a clear turning point in the security architecture of the island, Macron pledged defence of the island, stating that an attack on Cyprus is an attack on Europe. Mitsotakis – who sent two frigates and four F-16s to the island – highlighted that Cyprus is not alone.
British response
UK Defence Secretary John Healey briefed the British Parliament on Monday on actions taken by the United Kingdom to strengthen its military forces in the Middle East, particularly in Cyprus.
In addition to the Eurofighter Typhoons and F-35 fighter jets already deployed at Akrotiri, Healey noted that four more Typhoon fighter jets, three Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities and one Merlin helicopter have also been deployed there.
Since January, the British bases in Cyprus have been reinforced with 400 personnel, mainly an air defence unit, Healey said. The drone that struck RAF Akrotiri likely originated from Lebanon or Iraq, he said, adding that the drone’s debris was being analysed to determine its origin.
The British ninister said the Royal Air Force has carried out more than 230 hours of flights in the region, while eight fighter jets are operating from Qatar as part of a joint UK-Qatari squadron.
As for HMS Dragon, according to BBC, its immediate deployment to the region was not possible due to the fact its weapons systems were being refitted in Portsmouth. There were thoughts to send the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean but, the decision was taken to send it to the Arctic.
The delayed deployment raised serious questions among British media serious questions among British media with regard to the UK's naval capacity to deal with multiple crises, both in the high North (relating to Russia), and in the Gulf, Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
The HMS Dragon is considered one of the most advanced air defence and anti-missile defence ships in Europe. Its primary mission is protection against aerial threats (fighter aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles).
It is equipped with the Sea Viper air defence system utilising Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, as well as the advanced SAMPSON radar, which enables the simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets. It is also fitted with a 114-mm naval gun, close-in defence systems, and has the capability to carry a Wildcat helicopter for surveillance missions and anti-submarine warfare.
Now that HMS Dragon has finally left port with its 200-strong crew, it is expected to take around one week to reach Cyprus.
Europeans not part of US-Israeli war
The EU countries that sent military assets to the region note that this is a purely defensive posture, to protect allies against drone and missile attacks, as well as to provide evacuation capabilities if neededd. They are not part of the war effort. The UK bases, meanwhile, play a more nuanced role, with British PM Keir Starmer backpedalling on his initial stance to remain out of the war, offering the US use of certain British bases for ‘defensive’ purposes, which he interprets as strikes on Iranian missile storage depots and launching pads.
Sources: BBC, ITV, CNA