The British destroyer HMS Dragon, which sailed from Portsmouth on March 10, arrived in Cyprus on Monday to reinforce air defenses at the U.K. sovereign bases on the island, Britain’s defense minister said.
Its deployment comes nearly three weeks after an Iranian drone struck the RAF base at Akrotiri. The Type 45 destroyer is considered one of Europe’s most advanced air‑ and missile‑defense ships.
Defense Secretary John Healey told Parliament that Dragon had reached the eastern Mediterranean and would begin integrating into Cyprus’ defense posture “tonight” alongside allied forces.
The journey took almost two weeks, and when combined with the week between the decision to deploy and its departure, the process spanned 21 days.
The ship is equipped with the Sea Viper air‑defense system, carrying Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, and the SAMPSON radar, capable of tracking and engaging multiple targets simultaneously. It also carries a 114‑millimeter gun, close‑in defense systems and can operate a Wildcat helicopter for surveillance and anti‑submarine missions.
HMS Dragon has previously operated in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf, often escorting aircraft carriers during British and NATO missions.
