"HMS Dragon won't set sail to protect the British base in Cyprus until next week as conflict spirals in the Middle East. The ship is being loaded with ammunition in Portsmouth and sent to the Mediterranean after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone early Monday."
"Officials said there was nothing that would have happened to ready a warship any earlier amid questions over Britain's preparedness to protect its overseas bases. They would not specify where the drone that struck Akrotiri came from but said assessments showed it was a Shahed type and had not been launched from Iran."
"HMS Dragon was chosen because it was the readiest for the mission, officials said. Meanwhile, Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet drone-busting missiles are being deployed."
HMS Dragon, a British warship, is being prepared for deployment to the Mediterranean to protect RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus following a drone strike on the base early Monday. The vessel is currently being loaded with ammunition at Portsmouth's upper harbour facility and will not set sail until next week as Middle East tensions escalate. Officials stated HMS Dragon was selected because it was the most ready for the mission. The drone that struck Akrotiri was identified as a Shahed type, though officials did not confirm its origin from Iran. Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters equipped with Martlet anti-drone missiles are also being deployed. Questions have been raised about Britain's preparedness and why a Type 45 destroyer was not sent to the region earlier during the US military build-up.
#british-military-deployment #middle-east-conflict #cyprus-base-security #drone-strike-response #naval-defense
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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