The Ministry of Defence has provided a significant update on a vessel that may be dispatched to assist numerous British citizens seeking aid in the wake of missile and drone incidents in the Middle East.
The Royal Navy has readied a support ship, RFA Lyme Bay, for potential deployment to the eastern Mediterranean to aid stranded Britons. This vessel is equipped with aviation and medical capabilities suitable for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Over 100,000 British nationals have informed the UK government of their locations due to disrupted air travel and restricted flights causing travel disruptions.
In a precautionary move, the Ministry of Defence has placed RFA Lyme Bay on heightened readiness in case it is needed for maritime duties in the eastern Mediterranean. The ship, currently stationed in Gibraltar, is outfitted with medical facilities and a platform for aircraft operations.
Additionally, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is set to be dispatched to the eastern Mediterranean to safeguard Cyprus and RAF bases from potential drone or missile threats orchestrated by Iran and its allies. Following an incident involving an Iranian drone damaging RAF Akrotiri, the government decided to bolster security by deploying HMS Dragon despite facing criticism for delayed action.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced that HMS Dragon would depart from Portsmouth in the coming days. This warship, valued at £1 billion, features advanced defensive capabilities, including the Sea Viper anti-air missile system, to protect allied vessels from enemy threats.
While the HMS Prince of Wales was also placed on heightened readiness, plans to deploy the aircraft carrier have been reportedly abandoned. Officials clarified that there were no specific intentions to send the vessel to the Middle East, leaving open the possibility of deployment elsewhere in the world, as reported by the Financial Times.