NEXT WEEK THE BRITISH WARSHIP HMS DRAGON WILL LEAVE FOR CYPRUS - REPORTS OF ARRIVAL OF AMERICAN AIRCRAFT - Filenews 4/3
The British warship HMS Dragon will not depart for Cyprus until next week, officials have announced.
The Type 45 destroyer, which is anchored in the port of Portsmouth, is loaded with ammunition before departing for the Mediterranean.
Despite speculation, British officials denied that the delay in the mission was due to financial reasons or budget constraints. Before the arrival of HMS Dragon in the region, two Wildcat helicopters will arrive in Cyprus.
Officials also said U.S. warplanes would likely begin arriving at British bases in the coming days to begin missions in Iran.
The US has yet to use RAF Fairford or Diego Garcia military base following the British Prime Minister's decision to allow defense missions to be carried out from these facilities.
The characteristics of HMS Dragon
Versatility is a key feature of the Type 45 class, and HMS Dragon can undertake multiple missions beyond air defense. From humanitarian aid and natural disaster response operations to anti-drug missions at sea.
The crew numbers more than 200 people and consists of flying personnel, weapons systems engineers, communications technicians and specialized seafarers.
Their responsibilities include locating long-range aerial targets, simultaneous monitoring of multiple targets, interception of long-range targets, helicopter maintenance, take-off and landing support, and weapon system operation.
Among other things, it specializes in dealing with air threats (missiles, drones, aircraft), escorts aircraft carriers or other flotillas, provides protection to bases and maritime zones of high strategic importance.
In terms of technical characteristics, it has a displacement of about 8,000 tons, a Sea Viper (Aster) anti-aircraft missile system, advanced SAMPSON radar for long-range threat detection and a crew of about 190 people
The ship has participated in missions in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, mainly for surveillance and protection missions of commercial sea routes.
