Air defence warship HMS Dragon set to make airspace a no-go area for Iran

HMS Dragon is preparing to set sail to the eastern Mediterranean to bolster defences in the region.

Her Wildcat helicopters will also be deploying, armed with Martlet missiles that could prove highly effective against Iranian drones.

The impending departure of the Type 45 destroyer comes after members of the Armed Forces shot down a number of drones over Iraq, Jordan and Qatar over the past 24 hours.

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HMS Dragon is one of the most capable air defence warships in the world, and will strengthen the Armed Forces' ability to detect, track and destroy aerial threats.

The warship is fitted with the Sea Viper missile system, which can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously.

Type 45 Destroyers have already been proven on operations, including HMS Diamond, which successfully intercepted a Houthi missile in 2024.

Iran has been targeting British interests in the region, and the UK Armed Forces are continuing to adapt to the changing threats posed by Tehran.

The UK presence in the region has been beefed up in recent weeks, including deploying radar systems, air defence capabilities and F-35B jets.

This build-up began long before the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury.

"We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the eastern Mediterranean," Defence Secretary John Healey explained.

"HMS Dragon brings world-class air defence capability, and our Wildcat helicopters are armed with Martlet missiles to counter the growing drone threat.

"I am deeply proud of the professionalism and bravery of our Armed Forces personnel who have in recent days successfully taken action across the region to protect our allies and defend British interests."

The most recent activity involving UK forces saw an RAF F-35B shoot down a drone over Jordan – the first time an RAF F-35 had destroyed a target on operations – supported by Typhoon jets and a Voyager tanker aircraft.

Elsewhere, a British counter-drone unit neutralised drones in Iraqi airspace heading towards Coalition forces.

An RAF Typhoon operating with the joint UK-Qatar 12 Squadron also shot down an Iranian one-way attack drone directed at Qatar using an air-to-air missile.