Britain's Armed Forces 'can't defend Middle East bases from Iranian missiles' – with crucial warships and submarines out of action https://t.co/jrPBdsp5yV
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) March 3, 2026
Keir Starmer today ordered a Royal Navy warship to set sail for Cyprus to defend a UK airbase from Iranian air attacks, after being humiliated into acting by the French.
The Prime Minister said Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon would be sent to the eastern Mediterranean along with helicopters with anti-drone weaponry in the wake of a strike on RAF Akroitiri on Sunday night.
The Prime Minister made the announcement this afternoon as he came under fire for leaving the task of defending the base to France and Greece, while the Navy’s best anti-aircraft vessels remained in Portsmouth.
France’s Emmanuel Macron had earlier told the president of Cyprus he was dispatching two frigates to the island, after a request for aid.
They will supplement forces already in the region and the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier strike group, which has been ordered to deploy to the area from the Baltic Sea.
Greece has also said it will send two frigates and fighter jets to defend Cyprus, meaning it will have more naval assets in the area than UK.
In a statement posted on social media site X, Sir Keir said: ‘The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there.
‘We’re continuing our defensive operations and I’ve just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region.
‘We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.’
However, questions remain over what dragon will do when it gets there, with the journey to Cyprus taking seven days.