HMS Dragon returns to Portsmouth following Mediterranean and Middle East mission
The Royal Navy destroyer was brought out of maintenance to protect UK bases in Cyprus
HMS Dragon and her crew have returned to Portsmouth after seven months away, which included responding to the Middle East war.
The Type 45 destroyer was called into action from dry dock to provide protection against drone and missile attacks on UK bases in Cyprus and to maintain maritime security in coordination with international partners.
The crew, faced with defending against missiles and drones in some of the globe's most dangerous waters, operated with the backing of Army and RAF capabilities, creating a formidable shield against potential threats.
The deployment saw the destroyer reach the Bab el Mandeb Strait at the foot of Yemen's Red Sea, where threats posed by Houthi rebel forces had been active since 2023.
Following maritime security patrols of the Indian Ocean, HMS Dragon worked alongside France’s Carrier Strike Group led by FS Charles de Gaulle.
Approximately 950 family members and friends gathered at Portsmouth Naval Base and on the city’s historic harbour walls to welcome the sailors home.
Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse praised the resilience and professionalism of Dragon’s ship’s company during a challenging deployment, and First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins highlighted the crew's exemplary performance in safeguarding UK interests.
HMS Dragon, the third of six Type 45 destroyers, is a crucial component of the Royal Navy's aerial defence, equipped with the Sea Viper missile system capable of eliminating multiple targets simultaneously.