Britain will deploy HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.
The prime minister said on social media he had spoken with the president of Cyprus about deploying the Type 45 destroyer, which is the only type of equipment the Royal Navy has to shoot down ballistic missiles.
It confirmed an earlier report from our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes the UK was considering the deployment of a Type 45 air defence destroyer to Cyprus to help defend the RAF bases there.
It is not thought HMS Dragon, currently in Portsmouth, will head off on Tuesday.
But the ship, which should take five to seven days to get to the region, will be leaving shortly.
Iran latest: UK confirms it is sending warship to Cyprus
In a post on X, Sir Keir said: “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.”
HMS Dragon will take between five to seven days to get to the region. Pic: PA/Royal Navy
It comes after RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone, which caused minimal damage and resulted in no casualties.
Hours before, Sir Keir had granted permission on Sunday for the US to use British bases for “defensive” strikes on Iran’s missile strikes, a day after the launch of joint American-Israeli action against Tehran over the weekend.
The UK has six Type 45 air defence destroyers, but not all are thought to be available for active service.
Haynes said: “This Type 45 Destroyer is fitted with the latest counter ballistic missile defences, which means that it will bring an extra layer of protection to British forces in the region, not just in Cyprus but obviously across the Gulf too, and as well to the UK’s allies.”
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Royal Navy conducting a previous drill using HMS Dragon. Pic: PA/Royal Navy
She added: “The prime minister has already said how allies in the region had been turning to the UK, asking them to do more to help defend their skies as Iran retaliates to the US and Israeli operation against that country by launching barrages of missiles and drones into the region.”
“There will be questions over why this is happening only now. It’s going to take a few days for that warship to… make its way to Cyprus or to the waters around Cyprus, presumably.
“And given the fact it was very clear the potential for the US to launch operations against Iran, and for the subsequent consequences to mean a greater threat to the British forces in the region.”
Thousands of Britons are stranded in the Middle East, unable to get home after hundreds of flights were cancelled.
Also on Tuesday, it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that RAF F-35B jets shot down drones over Jordan – the first time an RAF F-35 has destroyed a target on operations.
