Neither the UK nor France has expressed a desire to join the ongoing war, but Iran seems to have other plans.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have each given orders to deploy warships to the Mediterranean as the United States continues its bombing campaign against Iran.
The UK’s Royal Navy announced that the Type 45 Daring-class guided-missile destroyer HMS Dragon (D35) would be deployed to Cyprus, along with anti-drone helicopters to protect the island nation. British Force Cyprus (BFC) is a tri-service command that maintains the UK’s presence on the island, serving as a strategic location in the Mediterranean.
The UK Is Responding to Attacks on Its Bases
Earlier this week, an Iranian drone hit the runway at Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri on Cyprus, causing “minimal damage,” according to the Ministry of Defence. According to the BBC, British aircraft shot down drones in Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar.
HMS Dragon will depart from Portsmouth Naval Base and is expected to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean by early next week. At present, the “Royal Navy has major warships in the Mediterranean region,” the BBC added.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” Starmer said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We’re continuing our defensive operations, and I’ve just spoken with the president of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region. We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
The Type 45 Daring-class destroyers are considered to be highly capable warships, designed primarily for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare.
“The Type 45s form the core of the Navy’s fleet air defense, protecting aircraft carrier strike groups and amphibious forces from aerial threats,” defense analyst Brandon Weichert explained for The National Interest in August 2025—adding that the ship was notable for its “unparalleled air defense capability.”
However, the Royal Navy has just six Type 45 air defense destroyers in service, with at least one undergoing refit and unavailable for deployment. That fact serves as a reminder of how thin the Royal Navy is spread during times of crisis.
That may explain why two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters, equipped with Martlet air-to-air missiles, are also being sent to aid in protecting Cyprus.
France’s Flagship Aircraft Carrier Is Also on the Way
The flagship of the Marine Nationale (French Navy), the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, was also ordered to the Mediterranean Sea. As of this week, the carrier was located in the Baltic Sea in northern Europe—meaning that it has some time at sea before it reaches the region.
Marcron directed the flattop to the eastern Mediterranean, arranging for an escort of French Navy frigates. The French president had already ordered Dassault Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems, and other assets to be deployed to protect Cyprus and other Middle Eastern interests.
The deployment of warships and aircraft is a turnabout for both London and Paris, which had previously refused to take part in the combat operations against Iran. NATO member Germany has also stated it would sit on the sidelines.
However, Iran’s targeting of Israel, multiple Arab states, and Cyprus spurred the UK and France to increase their defensive capabilities.
“This requires our support,” Macron told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
Neither Starmer nor Macron indicated that their respective forces would take part in offensive operations against the Islamic Republic.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
