HMS Dragon will finally take part in defence of Cyprus

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: | Updated:

British warship HMS Dragon will take part in the defence of Cyprus from tonight - more than three weeks after an RAF base on the island was hit by an Iranian drone. Defence Secretary John Healey this afternoon told MPs that the Type 45 destroyer had arrived in the eastern Mediterranean after voyaging from Portsmouth. He added the vessel will begin 'operational integration into Cyprus's defence' from Monday evening. It follows a huge row over Britain's failure to have a single major warship in the region when the Iran war broke out on 28 February.

British warship HMS Dragon will take part in the defence of Cyprus from tonight - more than three weeks after an RAF base on the island was hit by an Iranian drone. Defence Secretary John Healey this afternoon told MPs that the Type 45 destroyer had arrived in the eastern Mediterranean after voyaging from Portsmouth. He added the vessel will begin 'operational integration into Cyprus's defence' from Monday evening. It follows a huge row over Britain's failure to have a single major warship in the region when the Iran war broke out on 28 February.

Drone Strike on RAF Akrotiri Exposes UK Vulnerability 

Criticism over the UK's lack of preparedness for the conflict deepened when RAF Akrotiri, a key British airbase situated on Cyprus, was hit by a drone on 2 March. An Iranian-type Shahed UAV caused slight damage when it hit facilities at Akrotiri, a British Sovereign Base Area, in the early hours. The suicide drone is said to have been launched by Iranian proxy group Hezbollah in Lebanon. A day after the attack, Keir Starmer announced the deployment of HMS Dragon - but it was a further week until the vessel left Portsmouth after a scramble to get it ready.

Criticism over the UK's lack of preparedness for the conflict deepened when RAF Akrotiri, a key British airbase situated on Cyprus, was hit by a drone on 2 March. An Iranian-type Shahed UAV caused slight damage when it hit facilities at Akrotiri, a British Sovereign Base Area, in the early hours. The suicide drone is said to have been launched by Iranian proxy group Hezbollah in Lebanon. A day after the attack, Keir Starmer announced the deployment of HMS Dragon - but it was a further week until the vessel left Portsmouth after a scramble to get it ready.

European Allies Deploy Faster Than UK Forces 

The Government was further criticised when vessels from other European countries - including France and Greece - arrived in the Mediterranean within days of Iran launching retaliatory attacks across the Gulf. In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, Mr Healey gave an update on Britain's response to the Iran conflict, which erupted when the US and Israel launched strikes on Tehran. 'RAF and Navy pilots have now racked up nearly 900 flying hours in defence of Cyprus, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates,' he told MPs.

The Government was further criticised when vessels from other European countries - including France and Greece - arrived in the Mediterranean within days of Iran launching retaliatory attacks across the Gulf. In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, Mr Healey gave an update on Britain's response to the Iran conflict, which erupted when the US and Israel launched strikes on Tehran. 'RAF and Navy pilots have now racked up nearly 900 flying hours in defence of Cyprus, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates,' he told MPs.

'We have more jets in the region than at any time in the last 15 years. 'There are an extra 500 air defence personnel in Cyprus, and as more military capabilities are committed to the eastern Mediterranean, we're working closely with the Republic of Cyprus to coordinate the contribution of allies, including the US, France and Greece, to reinforce the security of Cyprus. 'And I can confirm that HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean and tonight begins operational integration into Cyprus's defence alongside allies.'

'We have more jets in the region than at any time in the last 15 years. 'There are an extra 500 air defence personnel in Cyprus, and as more military capabilities are committed to the eastern Mediterranean, we're working closely with the Republic of Cyprus to coordinate the contribution of allies, including the US, France and Greece, to reinforce the security of Cyprus. 'And I can confirm that HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean and tonight begins operational integration into Cyprus's defence alongside allies.'

The Defence Secretary also confirmed that two Iranian missiles were launched in the direction of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, but 'normal operations continue'. 'One fell short of its target, the other was brought down short of its target,' he added. 'Neither got close to Diego Garcia. The UK was not required to take action and normal operations continue. 'I totally condemn Iran's reckless attacks. Iran must stop – it must de-escalate. We want to see this war end now.' Mr Healey told the Commons he would attend a Cobra meeting later on Monday, chaired by the Prime Minister, because 'Iran is holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage by laying mines, targeting ships, including Red Ensign vessels, and putting lives in danger'.

The Defence Secretary also confirmed that two Iranian missiles were launched in the direction of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, but 'normal operations continue'. 'One fell short of its target, the other was brought down short of its target,' he added. 'Neither got close to Diego Garcia. The UK was not required to take action and normal operations continue. 'I totally condemn Iran's reckless attacks. Iran must stop – it must de-escalate. We want to see this war end now.' Mr Healey told the Commons he would attend a Cobra meeting later on Monday, chaired by the Prime Minister, because 'Iran is holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage by laying mines, targeting ships, including Red Ensign vessels, and putting lives in danger'.

He added: 'We've now deployed UK military planners into US central command to develop options. 'We're looking to accelerate new UK minehunting and drone technology and on Friday, we confirmed that the current permission we've given for the US to use UK bases for defensive strikes against specific Iranian targets extends to their missile sites and capabilities that threaten the Strait of Hormuz. 'We are determined that the UK plays a leading role in securing the Strait so commercial ships can move freely and confidently again.'

He added: 'We've now deployed UK military planners into US central command to develop options. 'We're looking to accelerate new UK minehunting and drone technology and on Friday, we confirmed that the current permission we've given for the US to use UK bases for defensive strikes against specific Iranian targets extends to their missile sites and capabilities that threaten the Strait of Hormuz. 'We are determined that the UK plays a leading role in securing the Strait so commercial ships can move freely and confidently again.'

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