HMS Dragon has departed Portsmouth to join UK defensive operations in the eastern Mediterranean amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The Type 45 destroyer will become the UK’s only warship in the region when it arrives, with a key role in protecting RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where an Iranian-made drone recently struck a hangar. Armed with Sea Viper missiles and supported by Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone weapons, the ship is designed to counter aerial threats and safeguard allied forces. The deployment followed an intense preparation effort by the Royal Navy, completing six weeks of work in just six days. Meanwhile, the support ship RFA Lyme Bay has been placed on heightened readiness in Gibraltar and could assist with evacuations or humanitarian tasks if required. The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has also been told to prepare for possible deployment. UK forces are already involved in defensive operations across the region, including intercepting Iranian drones over Jordan and supporting coalition security in the Gulf. See