The Royal Navy has issued a major update regarding its HMS Dragon. The warship is heading to the Middle East as part of a mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz and safeguard freedom of navigation. It comes as the UK and France are set to host a meeting of defence ministers from the Strait of Hormuz coalition.
According to the Royal Navy, the warship will use her Sea Viper missile system to safeguard the UK’s assets and interests. The Type 45 destroyer will be supported by Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron, equipped with Marlet missiles to counter drone threats.
HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer, Commander Iain Giffin, said: “I am proud that Dragon is playing such a prominent role in the UK’s presence in the region as part of a multi-national task force seeking to assure the freedom of navigation and restoring vital trade routes.”
The ship left its Portsmouth base in March and has been helping safeguard Cyprus.
Commander Iain Giffin added: “Following our time defending Cyprus, Dragon has proven that she is ready and able to integrate with Tri-Service colleagues and international allies to conduct coordinated air defence and reassurance operations.
“Operating up threat from Cyprus, my crew have done an outstanding job maintaining a persistent state of readiness inside the high threat zone, poised to react and defeat anything threatening the Island.”
The UK and France’s Defence Ministers’ meeting will take place tomorrow, and will see Defence Secretary John Healey MP, alongside his French counterpart, Minister Catherine Vautrin, co-chair a meeting of over 40 nations.
The Royal Navy confirmed that the plan will focus on restoring confidence in commercial shipping along the strait, and that it hopes the presence of HMS Dragon will boost confidence among commercial shipping firms, aid mine-clearance efforts, and protect vessels.
