No-one can slay the Dragon! Royal Navy warship simulates avoiding incoming missiles after it was deployed to Cyprus to defend against Iranian attacks

By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:48, 5 May 2026 | Updated: 12:57, 5 May 2026 Dramatic footage shows a Royal Navy warship swerving as it simulates dodging incoming missiles after being deployed to Cyprus amid fears of Iranian attacks. HMS Dragon is seen pulling off sharp evasive manoeuvres during the April 25 exercise, as part of preparations for potential strikes in the region. Other scenes show crew scrambling into protective gear as they rehearse drills for ballistic missile attacks.  The Type 45 destroyer is operating as part of a mission to provide air defence to sovereign British territory, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The Royal Navy said the 'high speed manoeuvres' formed part of training to ensure HMS Dragon remains ready for operations, adding the ship is conducting a range of drills to maintain operational readiness.  HMS Dragon's primary role is air defence, protecting other ships by detecting and neutralising threats using the Sea Viper missile system.  This includes drones, aircraft and missiles that could be launched by hostile actors such as Iran-backed groups or regional adversaries. It comes as the Royal Navy has been left with just five active frigates after another warship was withdrawn. Dramatic footage shows a Royal Navy warship swerving at high speed as it simulates dodging incoming missiles after being deployed to Cyprus amid fears of Iranian attacks HMS Dragon is seen pulling off sharp evasive manoeuvres during the April 25 exercise, as part of preparations for potential strikes in the region The Type 45 destroyer is operating as part of a mission to provide air defence to sovereign British territory, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus HMS Iron Duke is not expected to return to sea, having reportedly been stripped of weapons and sensors and not sailed since October 2025, less than three years after a £103million refit. HMS Dragon left Portsmouth on March 10, a week after being ordered to prepare for deployment to the Mediterranean. The move followed a drone strike near RAF Akrotiri, which prompted France and other EU and NATO allies to deploy ships to help defend the island. Defence Secretary John Healey praised the Royal Navy's 'remarkable effort', saying: 'What is normally six weeks of work was completed in just six days – a remarkable effort delivered around the clock.' Hundreds of well-wishers lined the seawall as the warship departed Portsmouth, with crew seen standing on deck as it left harbour.   A French aircraft carrier and other European naval vessels are also positioned around Cyprus. Emmanuel Macron said the island could 'count on France' as he visited Cyprus, in comments seen as a swipe at Britain's response. A video posted on social media showed the French president with military personnel and hardware including the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, alongside footage set to La Marseillaise. He said: 'Your presence demonstrates the power of France.' The HMS Dragon is equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and is supported by Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron armed with Martlet missiles. The Royal Navy said: 'The decision to send the Royal Navy assets came as Iran's attacks continue to target British interests in the region and the UK Armed Forces continue to adapt to the changing threats.' It added HMS Dragon has 'begun her journey to the eastern Mediterranean to join the UK's defensive operations in the region'. Around 200 sailors make up the crew of HMS Dragon, which is believed to be capable of protecting an area around five times the size of Cyprus. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.