Two reasons it took so long to deploy HMS Dragon – and former Navy commander says ‘neither are good’
Two reasons it took so long to deploy HMS Dragon – and former Navy commander says ‘neither are good’
After months of delay, HMS Dragon has departed Portsmouth and is en route to safeguard the UK’s airbase in Cyprus from potential threats.
Despite the airbase being struck by a drone over a week prior, with additional aerial intrusions reported, the ship’s late deployment has sparked questions. Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy officer, shared insights with Sky’s This Is Why podcast, highlighting two critical factors behind the delay.
Declining defense budgets accelerate the issue
Mr. Sharpe attributed the delay to a prolonged reduction in military funding, a matter gaining heightened attention following the Ukraine conflict. He emphasized that the Royal Navy’s resources are severely limited, describing the situation as “very bare.”
He pointed to the period under David Cameron’s leadership as a pivotal moment. “The strategic defense review of 2010 and the Cameron-Osborne austerity measures accelerated this decline,” he noted. “During that era, no new warships were commissioned, and replacement frigates were effectively put on hold.”
“There’s a clear responsibility here for that entire phase of Tory governance,” said Mr. Sharpe. “We now have just seven frigates and six destroyers, with only two destroyers currently operational. It’s evident that the Navy’s capacity is stretched thin.”
According to the defense analyst, the Royal Navy’s ability to respond to immediate threats has been compromised. “With the rule of three to one applied—accounting for one in training, one in service, and one in upkeep—our available assets are now critically limited,” he explained. “This scarcity creates significant hesitation in committing ships to missions.”
Government prioritization faces scrutiny
Mr. Sharpe criticized the government for not acting decisively. “The need to prepare a Type 45 destroyer for deployment was obvious,” he said. “Yet the decision-making process between the Navy and Number 10 has faltered.”
He cited the example of U.S. President Donald Trump, who openly discussed positioning military assets near Iran ahead of potential strikes. “The Navy would have advocated for readiness, but that’s not the final call,” Mr. Sharpe clarified. “Ministers present the options, and then the responsibility lies with them.”
HMS Dragon’s journey to Cyprus could take between six and a half to 11 days, depending on its speed and weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay. The 200-member crew, eager to apply their training, will operate the ship’s advanced Sampson radar tower, designed to track drones and missiles.
Equipped with formidable weapons like the Sea Viper surface-to-air missiles, a 20mm Phalanx rapid-fire cannon, and an automated 30mm gun system, the vessel is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets. “The Sampson radar excels at identifying the most urgent threats,” Mr. Sharpe stated.
While the immediate mission focuses on Cyprus, the ship’s strategic value could extend beyond. Mr. Sharpe suggested HMS Dragon might be deployed to support efforts in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil passage currently inaccessible to commercial vessels. “At some point, someone will need to take action there,” he said. “The Type 45 would be a valuable asset for the American campaign.”
However, the situation remains fluid. Mr. Sharpe noted that shifting priorities could influence the ship’s role in the coming days. “The current scenario might evolve,” he added. “But for now, the delay in deployment is a clear indicator of broader challenges facing the UK’s naval capabilities.”
