Nicosia, Cyprus. The United Kingdom’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon arrived in waters off Cyprus on Monday evening, with its commanding officer Ian Griffin saying on Tuesday that he is “immensely proud”. British Defence Secretary John Healey said the ship will begin “operational integration into Cyprus’ defence”.
Commanding officer outlines preparation and training
Griffin said it had been “a busy three weeks getting the ship fuelled, stored, ammunitioned, worked-up and deployed to the eastern Mediterranean”. He said the crew conducted mission rehearsal training during transit to Cyprus and “stepped up to the challenge”.
He added that the sailors aboard the ship have “delivered with their characteristic determination, professionalism and good humour”. Griffin said he is “immensely proud” of what HMS Dragon has achieved and that the ship is “ready to do whatever our country calls us to do”.
Royal Navy details exercises conducted en route
The UK’s Royal Navy said training exercises carried out on the way to Cyprus included “dealing with intensive realistic scenarios, including air defence serials, firing upper deck guns … damage control, firefighting and medical first response, person overboard drills, and aircraft crash on deck scenario training”.
First Sea Lord sets out ship’s role and capabilities
The UK’s First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins said HMS Dragon was “rapidly brought to readiness and deployed from Portsmouth” and that the ship will “play her full part in defending Cyprus and the wider eastern Mediterranean”.
Jenkins said the ship is equipped with the sea viper system and can tackle a wide range of threats. He added that he has “every confidence” the crew will “rise to the task before them”.
The sea viper is a sea-to-air missile defence system that can track “hundreds” of targets simultaneously at a range of up to 402km, while engaging threats including drones and supersonic missiles at a range of around 112km, firing up to eight missiles in under 10 seconds.
Jenkins said that in “uncertain times”, the ship’s presence is a visible demonstration of the Royal Navy’s commitment to protecting people and interests “at home and overseas”.
Defence secretary announces start of operational integration
British Defence Secretary John Healey announced HMS Dragon’s arrival in Cyprus on Monday evening and said the ship will now begin “operational integration into Cyprus’ defence”.
What do you think HMS Dragon’s operational integration into Cyprus’ defence will involve?
