Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed Britain will deploy a warship and helicopter units to Cyprus following an Iranian strike on RAF Akrotiri, as the United States and Israel continue military operations against Tehran for a fourth consecutive day.
The Prime Minister announced the decision after speaking directly with the President of Cyprus, confirming that HMS Dragon — a Type 45 destroyer — will be sent to the region alongside helicopters equipped with counter-drone capabilities. “We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies,” Starmer said.
The Type 45 destroyer is considered a significant deployment, as it is the only vessel in the British naval arsenal capable of intercepting and shooting down ballistic missiles, making it particularly relevant given the nature of the ongoing threat in the region.
The confirmation follows days of deliberation in Westminster, during which defence sources indicated the government was actively weighing up options for bolstering protection of the sovereign British base. Security and defence editor Deborah Haynes had earlier reported that the deployment was under serious consideration, with HMS Dragon identified as the likely vessel to be sent.
The decision comes as the broader regional conflict intensifies. US and Israeli forces have now carried out strikes on Iran for a fourth day, and an American embassy in Saudi Arabia was struck by a drone, further widening the footprint of the conflict across the Middle East.
RAF Akrotiri had previously been hit by an Iranian-made Shahed drone, with the strike landing within 800 yards of British personnel stationed on the island. Two further drones were intercepted in the hours that followed. France and Greece had already moved to assist with Cyprus’s defences in the days prior to the British announcement, with Paris deploying two warships and Athens sending F-16 jets and frigates equipped with anti-drone technology.
HMS Dragon’s arrival in the region will add a ballistic missile defence capability to the existing allied presence around Cyprus. Further details on the deployment timeline and the specific helicopter units involved are expected to be set out by the Ministry of Defence in the coming days.
