London, United Kingdom. The British military is working to prepare the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon for deployment to Cyprus, a UK defence ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The deployment plan was announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday evening.
Preparation of HMS Dragon
A spokesperson for the defence ministry said the Royal Navy is working as fast as possible to prepare HMS Dragon for deployment, including resupplying its air defence missiles at an ammunition facility at His Majesty’s Naval Base in Portsmouth.
Wildcat helicopters and existing assets
The spokesperson said two AW159 Wildcat helicopters are set to be deployed within days and will be armed with Martlet missiles. The spokesperson said the helicopters will reinforce Royal Air Force Typhoons, F-35B jets, ground-based counter-drone teams, radar systems and Voyager refuelling aircraft already deployed.
Government statements on Cyprus and regional threats
Starmer said on Tuesday evening that the UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there, and that his government will always act in the interest of the UK and its allies. Earlier, British Armed Forces Minister Alistair Cairns said at a press conference that any threat emanating from Iran that threatens British interests, or British citizens in the Middle East, would be neutralised.
RAF F-35 engagement in Jordanian airspace
Later on Tuesday evening, the defence ministry said F-35 fighter jets operating in Jordanian airspace shot down uncrewed aerial systems in defence of Jordan. The ministry said it was the first time a Royal Air Force F-35 has shot down a target on operations, and that the jets were supported by Typhoon aircraft and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
What impact do you think the deployments to Cyprus could have on regional security?