Crowds give emotional send off to HMS Dragon as it leaves Portsmouth for Cyprus - in pictures

The Royal Navy destroyer began leaving Portsmouth Harbour just before 4.15pm on Tuesday, March 10. Crowds made up of well-wishers and loved-ones of the crew gathered on the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth to give them an emotional send-off as they head to the Eastern Mediterranean to help protect RAF Akrotiri and Cyprus.

HMS Dragon has been stationed in Portsmouth as crew hurriedly made her ready for deployment following the increasing escalation in the Middle East after the bombing of Iran by America and Israel.

HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer, Commander Iain Giffin, said: “My ship’s company have worked tirelessly to ensure we are ready for our mission to the Eastern Mediterranean.

“I am proud of professional manner in which they have responded. We are trained for this, we are ready for this, we have the equipment and people, we have the support of the British people and, most importantly, our families and friends.”

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The Portsmouth-based warship will use her Sea Viper missile system to help safeguard UK assets and interests – assisted by Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron equipped with Martlet missiles able to deal with the aerial drone threat.

Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Steve Moorhouse said: “I am proud that our highly-professional personnel have responded in a short time to ensure HMS Dragon and the Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron are fully prepared for their mission.”

Find pictures of HMS Dragon leaving Portsmouth below: