HMS Dragon

HMS Dragon returns home to Portsmouth on Friday, October 9, 2026, after leaving for an emergency deployment on March 10, 2026, due to the ongoing Iran war.

'Monumental effort': HMS Dragon sailors look back on 'rushed' Iran op

HMS Dragon homecoming on October 9, 2026. Pictured is: Leading Hand Charlie Gill from Littlehampton, West Sussex, with his cousin Finlay Ratan (2). Charlie donated part of his liver to Finlay when he was just four-months-old after needing a transplant.

Exclusive 'Hero' HMS Dragon sailor saves boy given days to live - reunited again

From L-R: Nick Evans (brother), Alan Evans, (father), Leading Seaman Harry Evans and Lesley Evans (mum) reunite after 214 days

Recap: HMS Dragon docks back home in Portsmouth after Iran operation

Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is heading back home to Portsmouth after recently being seen in Gibraltar.

HMS Dragon to sail to base full of proud families - when, times

Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is heading back home to Portsmouth after recently being seen in Gibraltar.

HMS Dragon leaves Gibraltar and heads closer to home after deployment

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring being refuelled for the first time in years as she takes a step closer to returning to sea.

HMS Daring takes step closer to returning to Royal Navy fleet

RFA Lyme Bay (centre), and HMS Dragon (right), linked up in the Middle East ahead of a possible Strait of Hormuz mission.

HMS Dragon leaves Middle East amid 'dangerous' threat developing

Commodore Maryla Ingham passed the leadership of Standing NATO Maritime Group One over to French Rear Admiral Nicolas Molitor in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Royal Navy completes vital Nato security mission using German ship

Commander Giffin hands over the role of Commanding Officer to Commander Hazelwood in Mombasa, Kenya.

New Commanding Officer for HMS Dragon amid Iran uncertainty

Munitions near a B1 Bomber are seen at RAF Fairford on July 24, 2026 in Fairford, England. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire a "legitimate target" after U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers used the British base to launch defensive bombing missions against Iranian military targets.

Britain 'ready to defend itself' after Iran names RAF base as target

RFA Lyme Bay (centre), and HMS Dragon (right), linked up in the Middle East ahead of a possible Strait of Hormuz mission.

'Enormously keen' RFA Lyme Bay arrives in Middle East ahead of op

View of RFA Lyme Bay at sea in the Mediterranean. The Bay-class ship has arrived in Cyprus while crews have been undertaking intense training drills.

RFA Lyme Bay arrives in Cyprus ahead of possible Iran mission

HMS Dragon has joined forces with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle ahead of a potential Iran operation.

'Proud' HMS Dragon joins forces with huge carrier Charles de Gaulle

HMS Dragon has passed through the Suez Canal as the Royal Navy air defence destroyer heads to the Middle East.

HMS Dragon passes through Suez Canal amid US threats against Iran

Image of a RAF Typhoon aircraft, seen here firing the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). It has been deployed to the Middle East as a cheaper measure to shoot down drones.

Precision missiles fitted to jets to shoot drones in Middle East

Royal Marines from the Air Defence Troop are tasked with protecting Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, replacing the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon.

Royal Marines to defend Cyprus from 'threats' replacing HMS Dragon
British forces have been conducting intense patrols in the eastern Mediterranean since RAF Akrotiri was hit by a kamikaze drone
Freddie Webb

HMS Dragon will be bolstered by cutting edge mine-hunting tech and drone ships.

Iran: 'Cutting-edge' mine-hunting tech to deploy with HMS Dragon

HMS Dragon, Portsmouth-based Royal Navy destroyer, will be part of a multinational force aimed at protecting the freedom of navigation once the Strait of Hormuz reopens. It's expected to be a difficult task due to hostilities from Iran, academics said.

Uncertain Iran 'threat' as HMS Dragon op aims to solve 'catastrophe'

Plans are being formulated by European nations for how to keep the Strait of Hormuz opens once the Iran war ends, with HMS Dragon being a part of it.

'Practical military plans' drawn up for HMS Dragon Iran deployment

Iran has warned that HMS Dragon's deployment to the Middle East is "escalation" and any actions will be met with an immediate response. The Portsmouth-based Royal Navy warship was previously operating in the eastern Mediterranean.

HMS Dragon 'escalation' to be met with 'immediate' action, Iran warns

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon is currently deployed in the eastern Mediterranean to defend Cyprus. Shye's not currently expected to be sent to the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Dragon to be sent to the Middle East to safeguard Strait of Hormuz

Dramatic scenes show UK warship HMS Dragon practising being attacked at sea. The air defence destroyer is seen pulling off swerving manoeuvres as it simulates avoiding incoming missiles. Other scenes show the crew rapidly putting on protective gear as they rehearse drills for attacks by ballistic missiles. HMS Dragon is operating in the eastern Mediterranean as part of a mission to conduct air defence operations to sovereign British territory, particularly RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

HMS Dragon practises coming under attack from ballistic missiles

Kemi Badenoch described the delays to HMS Dragon reaching the eastern Mediterranean as "the most embarrassing thing" to happen to the UK. Labour has responded amid ongoing problems in the Royal Navy.

Badenoch brands HMS Dragon delay as 'embarrassing' during visit

Hours of aerial patrols have been completed by Royal Navy 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcat HMA Mk2 (HMA2) helicopters, armed with Martlet lightweight multirole missiles.

'Complex airspace' secured as hours of patrols conducted amid Iran war

Defence minister Luke Pollard has slammed "armchair generals" criticising the British armed forces.

MP slams 'armchair generals' defending 'undernourished' Royal Navy

Layers of extra defence have been added to RAF Akrotiri after the British base on Cyprus was struck by a drone at the start of the Iran war. Pictured: 10th of March 2025 F-35B aircraft from 617 Squadron at British Forces Cyprus (BFC).

'Added layers' bolstering RAF Akrotiri base after drone attack

A retired Royal Navy Commodore it was risk to deploy HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean, which has come to fruition.

'Technical issues' on HMS Dragon were 'a risk that came to fruition'
Six weeks worth of work was completed in six days to prepare for HMS Dragon’s deployment
Freddie Webb

The Royal Navy has today taken command of NATO’s premier naval security force in Northern European waters during a ceremony in Portsmouth Naval Base. Pictured Commander Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral, Robert G Pedre, Incoming Commander for Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), Commodore Maryla Ingham RN, Outgoing Commander for SNMG1, Rear Admiral Joaquin Ruiz Escagedo Spanish Navy, SNMG1 Staff and guests for the Change of Command Ceremony on the flight deck of FGS Sachsen at HMNB Portsmouth.

Royal Navy takes charge of Nato op with German ship - not HMS Dragon

German frigate Sachsen, which has replaced the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon as the flagship of a Nato operation, has arrived in Portsmouth.

German frigate that replaced HMS Dragon op sails into Portsmouth

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP and chair of the defence select committee, said it's "embarrassing" that the Royal Navy could not deploy a warship quickly in response to the war in Iran.

MP slams Royal Navy's 'inability to deploy a single ship swiftly'

Technical issues have been reported on HMS Dragon while deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.

Technical issues reported on HMS Dragon amid Iran tensions

Fake social media circulate of HMS Dragon being struck by missiles

The MoD has set its retirement dates for HMS Dragon and other Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers.

Retirement date set for HMS Dragon and other Royal Navy destroyers

Royal Navy ships not expected to police Strait of Hormuz

Defence secretary John Healey was involved in a car crash interview where he overestimated the number of frigates and destroyers the Royal Navy has at its disposal.

Bumbling MP claims Navy has 17 frigates and destroyers - it doesn't

The German frigate Sachsen (F219) will assume command of Nato's Standing Maritime Group 1, taking the place of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon. The Type 45 warship has reached Cyprus after being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary 'not happy' with Royal Navy warship situation

The German frigate Sachsen (F219) will assume command of Nato's Standing Maritime Group 1, taking the place of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon. The Type 45 warship has reached Cyprus after being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.

German frigate replaces HMS Dragon on Nato op - UK 'bailed out'

HMS Dragon conducting Gunnery serials at sea using the ships 4.5 gun, 30mm (pictured) and phalanx weaponry as part of Fleet Operational Standards and training exercises.

Watch: HMS Dragon fires guns at targets amid Middle East strikes

HMS dragon en-route to Cyprus. Pictured: 18 Mar 2026 - HMS Dragon (right) conducting a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Tideforce whilst undergoing Fleet Operational Standards and Training.

'Busy three weeks' for HMS Dragon as she arrives in Cyprus - pictures

HMS Dragon’s deployment from HMNB Portsmouth to Cyprus was heavily impacted by changes to an afloat services contract, the Prospect Union said. The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer has now reached the eastern Mediterranean.

'Broken down' contracts stifled HMS Dragon Cyprus deployment

HMS Dragon sounds the horn as passes the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth.

HMS Dragon nears Cyprus less than two weeks after leaving Portsmouth

Plans to build new Type 83 destroyers for the Royal Navy could be delayed amid the ongoing frustrations with the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). Pictured: Type 45 warship HMS Dauntless.

Mysterious Type 83 warship project could be delayed, reports say

HMS Dragon at HMNB Portsmouth, as an armed forces minister insists changes to an MoD contract did not cause delays to her deployment.

Defiant MP insists staff HMNB Portsmouth work on '24-hour basis'

Engineering malfunctions were reported on HMS Dragon during her voyage to the eastern Mediterranean. The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, made a logistical stop at Gibraltar on Tuesday (Mar 17) morning on her way to Cyprus. The destroyer is an air-defence warship and will be tasked with providing the sovereign base at Akrotiri in Cyprus with air defences against drones from Iran. Whilst in Gibraltar, she is expected to take on fuel and supplies before heading into the Mediterranean.

'Power cuts and propulsion failures' on HMS Dragon en-route to Cyprus

RFA Tideforce was spotted in Gibraltar near HMS Dragon, a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer which is heading to the eastern Mediterranean.

Surprise support ship RFA Tideforce spotted near HMS Dragon

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, made a logistical stop at Gibraltar on Tuesday (Mar 17) morning on her way to Cyprus. The destroyer is an air-defence warship and will be tasked with providing the sovereign base at Akrotiri in Cyprus with air defences against drones from Iran. Whilst in Gibraltar, she is expected to take on fuel and supplies before heading into the Mediterranean.

HMS Dragon's current location - and when she may arrive in Cyprus

The government has been criticised for the amount of time it has taken for HMS Dragon to be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. Pictured: The Royal Navy destroyer sailing past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth.

'Delays carry consequences': Time to deploy HMS Dragon slammed

Thai cargo ship, Mayuree Naree, that was struck and set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has been targeting commercial ships following strikes from US-Israeli forces.

Royal Navy 'turning point' as Iran mine clearance put under spotlight

HMS Dragon is unlikely to be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz, defence experts have said. Pictured is the Type 45 destroyer leaving Portsmouth Portsmouth Harbour today on its way to the eastern Mediterranean.

Experts gives verdict on whether HMS Dragon should go to Iran

Defence Secretary John Healey thanks military personnel during a visit to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London, where he received an operational update on the situation in the Middle East and the defensive action the UK is taking to protect people, bases and partners in the region.

'Hidden hands' of Vladimir Putin may be behind Iran tactics, MP says

HMS Dragon departs Portsmouth as it heads to Cyprus. She will primarily be deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, as the Strait of Hormuz continues to be choked by iran during US-Israeli strikes.

What HMS Dragon may face is she goes to the Strait of Hormuz

HMS Dragon sailing past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth on March 10, with proud Royal Navy families watching on. She is sailing to the eastern Mediterranean to patrol the area around Cyprus, as hostilities in the Middle East continue.

'Immensely proud' families wave HMS Dragon goodbye as she leaves city

HMS Dragon is not now expected to sail to Cyprus to help protect the British air base there until next week (Picture: Justin Tallis)

Sailing date for HMS Dragon as questions raised over carrier

HMS Dragon Leaving Portsmouth Harbour

Live LIVE: HMS Dragon leaves Portsmouth bound for Cyprus

Nigel Farage at The Wellington Pub in Old Portsmouth.

Nigel Farage says Britain "humiliated" by navy's slow Iran response