UK sends destroyer known for ‘historic’ supersonic missile shoot-down to Eastern Med

The UK has revealed plans to deploy its Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and drone-busting Wildcat helicopters to the Eastern Mediterranean to boost British defense in the region.

As disclosed, the Type 45 destroyer will strengthen the UK’s ability to detect, track and destroy aerial threats, including drones.

The ship is fitted with the Sea Viper missile system, which can launch eight missiles in under ten seconds and guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously. Type 45 Destroyers have already been proven on operations, including when one successfully intercepted a Houthi missile in 2024. Last year, HMS Dragon destroyed a supersonic missile in a test off the coast of Scotland.

The deployment comes as the UK armed forces successfully shot down multiple drones across the region over the previous 24 hours:

RAF F-35B jets shot down drones over Jordan – the first time an RAF F-35 has destroyed a target on operations – supported by Typhoon jets and a Voyager tanker aircraft.

A British counter-drone unit neutralised drones in Iraqi airspace heading towards Coalition forces, whilst an RAF Typhoon operating with the joint UK-Qatar 12 Squadron shot down an Iranian one-way attack drone directed at Qatar using an air-to-air missile.

The decision comes as Iran’s tensions continue to trigger military build-up. To remind, the US forces, alongside allied partners, launched a series of coordinated strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure and strategic capabilities on February 28, 2026. These attacks are part of an effort to reduce threats posed by ballistic missiles, drones, aircraft, and other assets, according to the officials.

“We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. HMS Dragon brings world-class air defence capability, and our Wildcat helicopters are armed with Martlet missiles to counter the growing drone threat,” Defense Secretary John Healey said.

In a further boost, two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet drone-busting missiles are also deploying.

HMS Dragon is the fourth ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. It was launched in November 2008 and commissioned in April 2012.

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