Beach assaults, fast jet attacks and speedboats weaving between frigate and destroyers marked a major demonstration of Anglo-Egyptian naval forces in Alexandria. UK flagship HMS Albion and destroyer HMS Dragon joined the Egyptian Navy and Air Force for combined exercises on and off the sands of the North African shore, the culmination of a high-profile visit to the land of … [Read more...]
HMS Dragon forges ties with Ukraine in Odessa
HMS Dragon has spent a week in the Ukraine’s premier port forging closer ties with the country’s navy. The Portsmouth-based destroyer has broken away from the UK’s amphibious task group currently operating in the Mediterranean to patrol the Black Sea, working with Britain’s allies and partners in the region to guarantee freedom of movement. She sailed through the … [Read more...]
Sailors decorated for bravery, devotion and dedication in Operational Honours
SAILORS behind one of the most dramatic rescues in recent years and a record-breaking drugs haul are among Servicemen and women recognised by the Queen. Four RN personnel have been singled out in the latest Operational Honours awarded to those in the Services whose bravery, dedication and effort goes above and beyond what would normally be expected. Leading Seaman David … [Read more...]
Destroyer HMS Dragon deals another blow to terrorists with sixth Middle East drugs bust
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The outstanding work of HMS Dragon’s crew continues to be a credit to Britain and its Armed Forces. “These significant seizures stop cash flow to terrorists, hurt criminal gangs who fund them and hinder the supply of harmful drugs to streets around the world, including Britain.” The suspect vessel was spotted by the warship’s … [Read more...]
HMS Dragon seizes £75m of narcotics in double Gulf drugs bust
Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon has seized and destroyed ten tonnes of drugs worth more than £75m in one of the most significant drugs busts in the Gulf this year. In a highly fruitful 48-hour window, the Type 45 destroyer – which will remain on operations in the Gulf throughout the Christmas period – intercepted two boats carrying the huge haul of illicit drugs on notorious … [Read more...]
Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon seizes tonnes of hashish in major Gulf drugs bust
Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon has seized three tonnes of hashish in one of the most significant drugs busts in the Gulf this year, dealing a major blow to the funding of terrorism. The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer was on patrol in the Middle East when they came across a suspicious dhow – a type of vessel common to the Middle East – in a notorious drug smuggling route … [Read more...]
Anglo-French naval force storms Biscay coast in major workout
The full panoply of Anglo-French amphibious striking power is being unleashed against France’s Atlantic coast as the two nations prepare to form a combined task group. More than 2,000 military personnel from both sides of the Channel – including destroyer HMS Dragon, amphibious ship RFA Lyme Bay, minehunter HMS Chiddingfold, Royal Marines from 45 Commando, raiding craft from … [Read more...]
Royal Navy hosts international military students
The Royal Navy in Plymouth was the centre of attention as 270 international students from the UK’s military leadership college had an insight into the professionalism of the senior service. A two-day dynamic demonstration of the Royal Navy’s capability was staged off the South West coast by warships HMS Dragon (Portsmouth destroyer), HMS Sutherland (Plymouth frigate), HMS … [Read more...]
Warship hunts Submarine in Eastern Mediterranean
Anti-submarine warfare may not be the usual forte for a destroyer – an air defence warship – but HMS Dragon snapped up the chance to work alongside nuclear submarine HMS Talent. As both were working in the Eastern Mediterranean at the same time, the units practised advanced underwater training with HMS Dragon tasked with hunting Talent down. The Devonport-based submarine … [Read more...]
Royal Navy Lynx lights up Mediterranean sunset
As HMS Dragon patrols the Eastern Mediterranean her Lynx helicopter breathes fire into the sunset sky with a stunning array of decoy flares. This powerful image of Royal Naval capability – both sea and air – was captured by Leading Photographer David Jenkins, the current Royal Navy Photographer of the year. One of the Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyers, HMS Dragon has arrived … [Read more...]