'A risk that came to fruition': Technical issue forces HMS Dragon into port
HMS Dragon's docking in the Eastern Mediterranean with technical issues was a "risk that came to fruition" in light of her hurried preparedness to deploy, according to a former Royal Navy commodore.
It is understood a minor problem with water systems on the Type 45 destroyer will be addressed during the stop – but has not affected the ship's operational capability.
"The fact that they have some defects, fine. All ships do. That's part of the game," Commodore (Ret'd) Steve Prest told BFBS's Sitrep podcast.
"The worry for the operational commanders will be how many of those risks they're carrying in total.
"I suspect in the case of HMS Dragon, the fact that she came out of dock so quickly and was generated for operations at extraordinary speed - for which I think the commanding officer of the ship's company and all the elements that supported them should be commended – they will have carried some risk.
"There will have been things that they wanted to sort out, they wanted to fix, they wanted to complete the maintenance on that they didn't have a chance to do."
The warship arrived in Cyprus at the end of March, three weeks after RAF Akrotiri was struck by a kamikaze drone, with the delayed deployment prompting widespread criticism.
Cdre Prest said the bigger point is why it was necessary to rely on HMS Dragon emerging from a docking period so quickly to get to operations in the Middle East, when really it was about long-term investment in maintenance and upkeep of the Navy.
"I think that HMS Dragon and her ship's company are doing a fantastic job," he said.
"Strategically, I think there are questions to answer about why the Navy finds itself in this circumstance."
The MOD responds
An MOD spokesperson said: "HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take on board provisions, optimise 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 UK continues to maintain a robust and layered defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, working in co-ordination with allies.
"This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems."
All of HMS Dragon's crew of around 200 sailors have access to water and catering facilities, and have been able to take showers.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones also gave an update, saying HMS Dragon docked "for a planned logistical stop and there are some technical issues which will be resolved very quickly".
Defensive operations in the Eastern Mediterranean
The Type 45 destroyer joined US and French warships already defending the Eastern Mediterranean.
HMS Dragon, which is based in Portsmouth, is one of six Type 45 destroyers in the Royal Navy.
They are the fleet's first line of defence against aerial threats, whether that be aircraft, missiles or drones, and are capable of protecting an area up to five times the size of Cyprus.
HMS Dragon can track hundreds of targets simultaneously and eliminate them with her Sea Viper system, which can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and direct up to 16 missiles onto their targets simultaneously.
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