British warship leaves for Mediterranean to protect Cyprus

A British warship has departed for the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen UK defenses as the Iran war escalates.

HMS Dragon, one of the world’s most capable air defense destroyers, left Portsmouth on Tuesday after crews completed six weeks of preparation in just six days.

The deployment follows a March 1 drone strike on Britain’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, where an Iranian-made drone hit the runway.

Critics had accused London of a slow reaction. Now, the Royal Navy is moving to protect British interests as Iranian attacks continue. A second ship, RFA Lyme Bay, is being prepared with humanitarian and medical capabilities.

The UK has already sent extra counter-drone specialists, helicopters to Cyprus, Typhoon jets to Qatar, and begun defensive sorties in support of the UAE. British pilots have logged over 230 flying hours in recent days.