Iran: 'Busy three weeks' for HMS Dragon as sailors 'put through their paces' en-route to Cyprus - pictures

The Type 45 destroyer arrived in Cyprus to defend the island nation and the eastern Mediterranean. In response to strikes and retaliatory attacks between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, the warship was supplied and readied within six days.

Emotional crowds gathered to wave off their loved ones as the destroyer left HMNB Portsmouth on March 10. To ensure the 230-strong ship’s company were ready for the potentially intensive pace of operations, they undertook two weeks of critical training and assessments. HMS Dragon’s advanced systems and weaponry were also brought up to speed.

Despite dealing with power cuts and propulsion issues in rough seas near Gibraltar, the Type 45 was able to conduct various drills. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said: “HMS Dragon was rapidly brought to readiness and deployed from Portsmouth earlier this month and will now play her full part in defending Cyprus and the wider eastern Mediterranean.

“Equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper system, she can tackle a wide range of threats. On her way to the region, her crew have undertaken essential training to ready themselves for this mission, and I have every confidence that they will rise to the task before them. In uncertain times, her presence is a visible demonstration of the Royal Navy’s commitment to protecting our people and our interests, at home and overseas.”

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The Royal Navy said six weeks of work were completed in the space of six days at HMNB Portsmouth to prepare HMS Dragon for the deployment and essential training. Various serials were undertaken during her 3,500 mile voyage. Video footage released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) shows sailors testing their seamanship skills during Fleet Operational standards and training. This also included other intensive real life scenarios such as air defence serials, damage control drills, firefighting ops, medical response situations, man overboard drills, and crash on deck training.

Gunnery serials on March 18 tested her upper deck 4.5ins gun, 30mm and phalanx weaponry. The destroyer was topped up with fuel and other vital supplies during a replenishment at sea trial with RFA Tideforce. HMS Dragon has the capability to seek out and track hundreds of targets at once. Her Sea Viper missile system can then be used to eliminate them, with the ability to launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and direct up to 16 missiles simultaneously. These travel at up to four times the speed of sound.

The destroyer will be joined by Wildcat attack helicopters – equipped with drone-destroying Marlet missiles –F-35B fighter jets and Merlin surveillance helicopters. British forces shot down 14 kamikaze drones on March 24 in a single night after the aircraft attacked the joint US-UK base of Erbil in Iraq.

Discussing the deployment so far, HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer Commander Iain Giffin said: “It has been a busy three weeks getting the ship fuelled, stored, ammunitioned, worked-up and deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean. My team has been put through its paces conducting mission rehearsal training during our transit to Cyprus and they have stepped up to the challenge and delivered with their characteristic determination, professionalism and good humour. I am immensely proud of what Dragon has achieved and we are ready to do whatever our country calls us to do.”