HMS Dragon, deployed to protect British air bases in Cyprus, has docked for maintenance – less than a month after leaving Portsmouth.
The Type 45 destroyer is capable of shooting down the types of drones and ballistic missiles being launched by Iran.
Iran war latest: ‘A whole civilisation will die’, Trump warns
However, the vessel has a “minor technical issue” with its water systems, and the ship has docked in the eastern Mediterranean for what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described as a “routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period”.
The MoD added in a statement: “HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.”
HMS Dragon is one of a number of British military assets in the region which are defending UK bases and allied nations from Iranian-made drones and other weapons.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been critical of the UK’s decision to provide only defensive support.
He compared Royal Navy ships to “toys”, adding they are “too old” and “broken-down”.
Military sources said the technical issue has not affected the ship’s operation, and the crew have access to water for washing and catering as normal.
In an update about the ship, the MoD confirmed in a statement: “HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.”
