Martlet: What we know about the best-in-class missile deploying to Cyprus on Wildcats

HMS Dragon is being readied to depart for the Mediterranean and will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters equipped with so-called "drone-busting" Martlet missiles, so it can protect Britain's bases in Cyprus.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced Britain would send HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 air defence destroyers, to defend Cyprus after a hangar at RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone.

The Martlet missile made its operational debut on Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters in 2021, giving the Senior Service aircraft their teeth.

• Wildcat and Martlet: The combination providing a ring of steel around warships
• Jackal drone used to launch Martlet missiles for first time during trials
• Army Wildcats and Apaches team up with US to play hide and seek with opposing force

It can be launched from the shoulder, a static launcher or a vehicle, uses a laser targeting system, travels at a speed of Mach 1.5 and is released from the Wildcat in 0.3 seconds.

In the video above, Philip McBride, managing director of Thales Belfast, the company responsible for manufacturing the weapon, explained to BFBS Forces News why the missile is so effective.