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
France is sending warships and anti-air attack systems to Cyprus amid deepening questions about Britain’s ability to defend its own bases from Iranian attacks.
Emmanuel Macron has ordered units including two frigates to the eastern Mediterranean after RAF Akrotiri was struck by a drone which pierced its air defences on Sunday night.
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.
The Cyprus Mail said president Nikos Christodoulides appealed to both Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to send naval vessels to help protect the island.
The damage to Akrotiri was said to be ‘minimal’ and there were no casualties, officials said, but the very fact that Tehran was able to hit the base has highlighted potential gaps in depleted UK forces’ ability to defend it.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday said additional defensive capabilities had recently been moved to bases in Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence.
But the UK’s larger air defence assets, the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, are currently mostly tied up in Portsmouth, leaving the UK to rely on its allies for help.
Ministers are said to be considering whether to send one of them, HMS Duncan, to the region, although no final decision has yet been taken.
Today a light aircraft previously used by the RAF to fly surveillance missions over Gaza was shown on radar tracking to circle Akrotiri during a nine-minute flight.
It comes as Sir Keir faces criticism over his uber-cautious stance towards the US/Israeli attacks on Iran. President Trump said the French were being more helpful.
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: ‘It is extraordinary that it has taken Starmer days to deploy the Royal Navy to defend our interests in the Middle East.