The British Navy today sent the destroyer HMS Dragon, equipped with the Sea Viper missile system, to the Mediterranean
The British warship HMS Dragon left for the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, more than a week after the British air base in Cyprus was attacked by a drone, following the attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, write Reuters and The Guardian.
Keir Starmer's government has been criticized for failing to send a warship to the region sooner, as warships from allies Greece and France arrived days after Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on the Persian Gulf.
On March 1, the Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian-made drone believed to have been launched from Lebanon or Iraq.
The destroyer HMS Dragon has been sent to the eastern Mediterranean to help protect RAF bases in Cyprus, a member of the European Union, in a bid to prevent further drone or missile attacks from Iran and its allies.
On Monday, British Defense Secretary John Healey told MPs in London that the warship would leave Portsmouth “within the next couple of days”.
The move comes amid reports that the RFA amphibious assault ship Lyme Bay is also being prepared for a possible deployment to the region.
The decision to send the destroyer HMS Dragon was made a week ago, but it took several days to prepare for deployment, raising skepticism about Britain's military readiness.
The British government defended its response, saying it had already sent other resources to the region, including radar systems, air defenses and F-35 fighter jets.
HMS Dragon is a Type 45 air defense destroyer equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and an advanced radar designed to track and neutralize air threats, according to the Royal Navy's website.
Starmer's government also cited close cooperation with the United States in preparing for and responding to the conflict, despite Trump's criticism of Britain's support.
Trump has harshly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for limiting Britain's military support for attacks on Iran, causing a crisis in the relationship between the historically close military allies.
Starmer allowed the United States to use British bases for defensive actions, but said he would not approve UK involvement in offensive actions unless he was sure they were legal and part of a clear plan.
