HMS Dragon docks in eastern Mediterranean after problems with water systems

HMS Dragon has docked in the Eastern Mediterranean after suffering technical problems with its water systems.The UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, announced on 3 March that the type 45 destroyer would be deployed to reinforce security around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, two days after the base was struck by a Shahed 136 drone.HMS Dragon left Portsmouth on 10 March after the crew completed in six days work that would normally take six weeks, according to the defence secretary, John Healey.The warship will still be able to sail at short notice “if required”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Tuesday.It is understood that minor technical problems with onboard water systems will be addressed during the stop, but that the malfunction has not affected the ship’s operational capability. All crew have had access to water and catering, and they have been able to take showers.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 onboard 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 coordination with allies.“This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems.”It is also understood that it was always planned for HMS Dragon to make a logistics stop at approximately this point in its deployment.HMS Dragon is among a number of British military assets in the region that are defending UK bases and allied nations from Iranian-made drones and other weapons.Weapons and systems onboard the vessel will be further optimised during its stop.An MoD source said on Sunday that reports of a Royal Navy vessel in the Mediterranean being struck by Hezbollah missiles were fake.Rumour spread on social media over Easter that a British warship had sustained damage after being struck by the Lebanese militant group, with claims they had mistaken it for an Israeli vessel. But an MoD source said the claims were not true.HMS Dragon was deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean after the British government faced criticism for the slowness to deploy a warship to the region after moves by Greece and France to send extra naval support to Cyprus following the attack on RAF Akrotiri.The Cypriot government also expressed concern that the drone was able to hit RAF Akrotiri, suggesting that the presence of the British base on the island should now be reviewed.The warship is fitted with a Sea Viper missile system, which intercepts drones and missiles, which the MoD said last month would “play a vital role in safeguarding UK assets and interests in the Middle East”.