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Britain will deploy HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.
The prime minister said on social media he had spoken with the president of Cyprus about deploying the Type 45 destroyer, which is the only type of equipment the Royal Navy has to shoot down ballistic missiles.
It confirmed an earlier report from our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes the UK was considering the deployment of a Type 45 air defence destroyer to Cyprus to help defend the RAF bases there.
It is not thought HMS Dragon, currently in Portsmouth, will head off on Tuesday.
But the ship, which should take five to seven days to get to the region, will be leaving shortly.
Iran latest: UK confirms it is sending warship to Cyprus
In a post on X, Sir Keir said: “The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there.
“We’re continuing our defensive operations and I’ve just spoken with the president of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region.
“We will always act in the interest…
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