Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

UK Dispatches HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean After Delay

The government prioritizes defensive measures over offensive strikes.

Le navire de guerre HMS Dragon. [LEON NEAL / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP]
Image
Un bombardier Boeing B-52 Stratofortress de l’US Air Force atterrit sur la piste, au-delà d’un bombardier Rockwell B-1 Lancer de l’US Air Force, sur la base de la RAF Fairford dans le sud-ouest de l’Angleterre, le 9 mars 2026
Guerre au Moyen-Orient: au Royaume-Uni, la consternation devant la faiblesse de la Royal Navy

Overview

  • Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK has begun defensive air sorties in support of the UAE, with Typhoon jets destroying two drones, one over Jordan and another heading toward Bahrain.
  • London has authorised US use of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for specific defensive operations against Iran, and additional B-52 bombers arrived at Fairford on Monday.
  • The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has departed Portsmouth for the eastern Mediterranean after maintenance and reconfiguration that drew criticism over UK readiness from domestic opponents and Cypriot officials.
  • Downing Street said the carrier HMS Prince of Wales remains at very high readiness with reduced time to sail, though no decision has been taken to deploy it.
  • The UK has moved Wildcat and Merlin helicopters to Cyprus and cites pre-positioned radar, air-defence assets and F-35s, as allies including France and Greece sent forces following the March 1 drone strike on RAF Akrotiri.