Just weeks after being posted to watch over Cyprus, the UK’s Royal Navy type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is back in dock.
The ship has made an unplanned stop in the eastern Mediterranean to address minor problems with its onboard water systems.
The Ministry of Defence said the warship would remain at “a very high level of readiness” and able to sail at short notice.
Officials said the fault had not affected operational capability, and crew had maintained access to water, catering and shower facilities throughout.
“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,” an MoD spokesperson said.
Dragon was deployed in March to reinforce security around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after the base was struck by an Iranian-made Shahed 136 drone on 1 March.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment two days after the attack, and the ship left Portsmouth on 10 March following an accelerated six-day preparation that would typically take six weeks.
The MoD also moved to dismiss social media claims circulated over Easter that the vessel had been struck by Hezbollah missiles, calling the reports false.
Dragon carries the Sea Viper missile system, designed to intercept drones and missiles. The MoD has described it as playing “a vital role in safeguarding UK assets and interests in the Middle East.”
