Royal Navy to command Nato force from German flagship as HMS Dragon sent to Cyprus

Royal Navy personnel will command one of Nato's maritime immediate response forces from the German flagship as HMS Dragon is no longer available to lead the force, BFBS Forces News understands.

The Type 45 destroyer was originally due to take up the role of leading Nato's Standing Maritime Group 1, but was redeployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to protect British forces in Cyprus.

The move was branded a "bailout" and a sign the Royal Navy has "run out of ships" by the Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, but BFBS Forces News understands it is not uncommon for the group to be commanded from an allied warship.

• HMS Dragon arrives in Eastern Mediterranean to begin her defensive operations
• No money, no maintenance, no crew: Why the UK has no ships in the Gulf
• Operation Epic Fury: How is the UK defending its assets in the Middle East?

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Our commitment to Nato remains unwavering, and the UK will fulfil its leadership role in SNMG1 as planned, with a Royal Navy Commodore assuming command next month."

A Royal Navy-led battle staff will embark on FGS Sachsen, the German Navy's flagship, to command the maritime task force.

The German Embassy in London described the move as "an expression of the close German-British partnership".