Royal Navy destroyer sent to crisis zone sidelined by technical fault

07 April 2026 , 22:11

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HMS Dragon, a destroyer dispatched to protect British air bases in Cyprus following a missile attack, will be docked due to a "minor technical issue," according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The ship recently arrived in the eastern Mediterranean but will enter port for a "routine logistics stop" and a "short maintenance period."

A problem with the ship’s onboard water system is understood to require repairs, but the destroyer will maintain high readiness during this time.

Crew members, numbering about 200 onboard, have access to water and catering, and can take showers despite the issue, the MoD stated.

An MoD spokesperson said: "HMS Dragon is undergoing a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimize systems, and conduct maintenance."

"HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required."

The destroyer departed Portsmouth on 10 March, seven days after Sir Keir Starmer announced the decision to deploy the warship.

It was sent with the objective of defending RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, which was struck by an Iranian-made drone earlier that month.

HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air destroyers specifically designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare, and is one of Britain’s most advanced warships.

It is capable of tracking hundreds of targets simultaneously and features a Sea Viper system that can launch eight missiles in under ten seconds.

The issue with HMS Dragon comes after the UK government faced accusations of not responding to the crisis in the Middle East promptly enough.

Last month, President Donald Trump accused Starmer of seeking to "join wars after we’ve already won" in a Truth Social Post, as the US and Israel continued strikes on Iran.

At the White House Easter lunch last week, Trump told guests he asked the UK to send "two old, broken down aircraft carriers" to the Middle East, saying Starmer responded by saying he would have to consult his team.

Sir Keir has said he will not allow the UK to be "dragged into the war" and has limited its involvement in the Iran conflict to defensive action.

The Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also criticized the prime minister last month, saying: "We have put bases in other people’s countries, and those countries are saying we’re not doing enough to help them. I think that’s absolutely shocking."

In an operational update on Tuesday, the MoD also confirmed that RAF Regiment gunners operating in a "high threat area" downed an Iranian drone threatening the region overnight.

Meanwhile, military bases in Cyprus have welcomed two additional Merlin Crowsnest helicopters, which will provide airborne surveillance and tracking capabilities.

UK Typhoons and F-35 jets have continued their defensive missions across the region, supported by Voyager refueling and Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, the MoD said.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water and key shipping route between Iran, the UAE, and Oman, has also remained a key concern with the threat of Iranian attacks on boats causing oil prices to surge.

The UK will host a "multinational military planning conference" to discuss the Strait on Tuesday.

The meeting will "explore appropriate measures for an international coalition when hostilities have ceased," according to officials.