A British warship, HMS Dragon, has been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to reinforce defenses at the Royal Air Force base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The deployment follows an Iranian drone strike that hit the base's runway on March 1st.
The Royal Navy stated that the HMS Dragon, equipped to neutralize drones and ballistic missiles, will bolster defensive capabilities in the region. This move aims to counter Iranian attacks targeting British interests and protect against aerial threats. The warship's deployment was expedited, with six weeks of work completed in six days.
In addition to HMS Dragon, a landing ship with humanitarian and medical capabilities, RFA Lyme Bay, is on heightened readiness. The UK has also recently sent counter-drone specialists, helicopters, and jets to the region, and conducted defensive sorties in support of the United Arab Emirates. A British unit successfully intercepted a drone in Iraqi airspace.