{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreicfl4xqf35aik3eydvjtzisjxmu7amtu27tpd3mz6ckbmbetpgao4",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:b7afdzqsmwksxypciqnplglk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqkn5q63mp2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreihbrr66xw4l6qqvr3yyfmb7tbsdpuo5ugihz6eqnfdw6a4ujcttaa"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 77530
  },
  "path": "/2026/03/23/hms-dragon-begin-defending-cyprus-tonight-arrival-east-mediterranean-27624590/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-23T16:08:50.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "Politics",
    "Cyprus",
    "Iran",
    "Iran war",
    "Royal Navy",
    "supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo",
    "RAF",
    "Middle East",
    "John Healey",
    "France",
    "Greece",
    "Italy",
    "here",
    "Sir Keir Starmer",
    "news page",
    "Twitter",
    "Facebook",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\nBritish warship HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean and will begin its operations to support Cyprus tonight, the Defence Secretary has confirmed.\n\nThe announcement comes a full three weeks after an Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri on the island.\n\nNavy forces rushed to prepare the ship for launch amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, following criticism over a perceived lack of preparation.\n\nJohn Healey told MPs this afternoon: ‘I can confirm that HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, and tonight begins operational integration into Cyprus’s defence alongside allies.’\n\nThe destroyer left from Portsmouth on March 10 after undergoing a six-day refit which would have taken six weeks under typical circumstances.\n\nShips from France, Greece and Italy have been involved in the protection of Cyprus while the British destroyer travelled there.\n\n##  Want to understand more about how politics affects your life?\n\nMetro's senior politics reporter Craig Munro breaks down all the chaos into easy to follow insight, in **Metro** 's politics newsletter Alright, Gov? Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here.\n\nIn an appearance before a parliamentary committee today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hit back at suggestions the island – which is home to the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia – was left unprotected by the UK.\n\nHMS Dragon set sail from Portsmouth on March 10 (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)\n\nHe said: ‘We’ve got a lot of defensive capability in Cyprus, including the air capability there.\n\n‘I’ve been constantly talking to the Cypriots about this, I was on the phone yet again to the President on Saturday at some great length.\n\n‘His assessment, the same as my assessment, is that our two military teams are working as closely as they have ever worked now, and we are absolutely determined to do everything we need to do to defend Cyprus.’\n\nDowning Street confirmed Starmer had spoken to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Saturday morning.\n\nAn official readout said the PM ‘reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UK’s continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self defence of the region’.\n\n**Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.** **Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.**\n\n**For more stories like this, check our**  news page**.**\n\n**Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates.** **You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.**\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "HMS Dragon to begin defending Cyprus tonight after arrival in east Mediterranean"
}