HMS Dragon, a type 45 guided-missile destroyer, will be sent from its current location in the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
The ship was controversially dispatched late to the eastern Mediterranean after rockets were launched at RAF Akrotiri in Cyrprus las month.
The MoD has said the vessel will carry out a “strictly defensive” mission to “safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz” as expectation rises over a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
What is the mission?
The warship was deployed near Cyprus in March to provide air defence following a drone strike on the RAF Akrotiri by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Once re-positioned in the Middle East, HMS Dragon will be ready to join a potential UK and French-led initiative once hostilities cease between Iran and US-Israeli forces.
A statement from the MoD read: “The UK and France continue to lead international efforts to translate diplomatic consensus on freedom of navigation into a practical, coordinated military plan to escort shipping through the Strait when conditions allow.”
While the MoD hasn’t given any specific details of what HMS Dragon will do, it’s possible she will provide air defence for other vessels.
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins confirmed last week that the bay-class landing ship RFA Lyme Bay is being converted into a mothership for supporting uncrewed mine hunting capability.
“This move is all about being prepared, should the conditions allow for our coalition to begin its work,” a Defence source said.
“Some people love to talk Britain’s military down, but this exemplifies how our Royal Navy is at the forefront of efforts to restore stability and economic security for British families and businesses back home.”
The HMS Dragon is the fourth ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She is equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper system, fitted out with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles for close and long-range engagements and can hit targets up to 75 miles away.
According to the Royal Navy website, Type 45 destroyers like HMS Dragon are capable of protecting an area up to five times the size of Cyprus.
Does this mean British bases on Cyprus are no longer under threat?
While the MOD hasn’t confirmed the threat to British military bases on Cyprus is completely gone, they have given assurances that the island is “well defended,” touting the extensive remaining military presence in the region.
“Cyprus remains well defended,” the MOD statement read, “as we’ve bolstered the significant defensive capabilities we had already pre-deployed to the region since January.”
Typhoon and F-35 jets, extra air defence systems, counter-drone units, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and an additional 500 personnel have been positioned in the region to keep it safe.
Does this mean a peace deal is close?
News of HMS Dragon’s deployment comes as Donald Trump says he is still expecting a reply from Iran regarding a US peace proposal.
Iran said on Wednesday it was reviewing a new proposal from Washington, after US media cited unnamed American officials as saying that the two sides were closing in on a one-page memorandum to end the war, though as of this morning, no such response to the plan has been announced.
A fragile ceasefire remains in place between Iran and the joint US-Israeli forces, although attacks on yesterday saw US forces hit two Iranian tankers that were trying to breach the blockade imposed by Donald Trump.
Following news of the attacks, Trump took to social media to reiterate a warning over the peace deal: “Just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!”
In a statement on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure.”