Philenews

“The Dragon” Delayed: Arrival in Cyprus Will Take Over Two Weeks

Published March 7, 2026, 14:11
“The Dragon” Delayed: Arrival in Cyprus Will Take Over Two Weeks

The deployment of the British destroyer Dragon to Cyprus is delayed due to the limited operating hours of the naval base in Portsmouth, where the ship is located. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, base personnel work only from 9 am to 5 pm due to cost cuts, making it impossible to prepare the ship faster. The Prospect union accuses the Ministry of Defense of imposing this schedule. Serco Marine Services, the company managing the base, rejects the accusations, stating that the schedule is from 7 am to 7 pm with the possibility of overtime. However, the delay in preparing the Dragon means it will take more than two weeks to reach Cyprus. In addition to refueling, the ship also needs a week of maintenance in dry dock. Undersecretary of Defense Al Karns confirmed that the Dragon needs to undergo technical work and reconfiguration before departing. The delay has drawn criticism of Keir Starmer for the slow response to the crisis in the Middle East. The report points out that the Royal Navy has 6 Type 45 destroyers, but three are decommissioned and the other three need time to prepare for operations. This situation highlights the challenges facing the Royal Navy in responding to crises and the need for adequate readiness.