Three weeks after the drone strike on the RAF base in Akrotiri, the HMS Dragon deployment to Cyprus has still not reached the region, raising questions about the UK’s operational readiness.
The British government confirmed the destroyer is “on its way” to the Eastern Mediterranean, but avoided giving a clear arrival timeline.
UK says ship repaired in six days
UK Housing Secretary Steve Reed said repairs to HMS Dragon were completed in six days instead of six weeks in order to speed up deployment. However, officials did not specify when the vessel is expected to arrive near Cyprus.
HMS Dragon left Portsmouth on March 10 but had not appeared in the Eastern Mediterranean by Sunday, while security in the area has largely relied on naval forces from France, Italy and Greece.
Drone strike exposed response gap
The delay comes after the March 2 attack, when a Shahed-type drone, believed to be linked to Iranian allies, struck the RAF base in Akrotiri.
The incident highlighted gaps in the United Kingdom’s immediate response, as no British warship was in the region when the crisis began.
The UK Ministry of Defence said the deployment of HMS Dragon, equipped with the Sea Viper air-defence system, is part of a wider military reinforcement that includes Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets, helicopters and additional air-defence personnel in Cyprus.
Submarine already deployed
Sources also said the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson has already been deployed to the Arabian Sea, strengthening the British military presence in the wider region.
“HMS Dragon will be on its way to the region.”
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 22, 2026
Cabinet Minister Steve Reed confirms that the air defence destroyer HMS Dragon has still not arrived in Cyprus. #BBCLauraK pic.twitter.com/1Xg2uRlDVw
Also read: Cyprus British bases after guarantor collapse
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