UK Navy's Readiness Questioned After Drone Attack

0:00On March 4, tensions are high over the Royal Navy's readiness after a drone from Lebanon struck the RAF Acro-Tiri base in Cyprus on Sunday. The Cypriot President turned to France for urgent naval protection, prompting President Macron to deploy two frigates alongside the Charles de Gaulle, carrier group. Greece and even Germany offered warships too, highlighting the UK's apparent gap in regional sea defenses. In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced late last night that the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon would head to the Eastern Mediterranean. She's loading ammunition in Portsmouth now, but it'll take over a week to arrive. Reports suggest Navy leaders wanted a ship prepositioned amid threats from Iran, yet ministers prioritize NATO exercises in northern Europe instead. The incident sparked a fiery clash at Prime Minister's questions between Starmer and conservative leader Kemi Badanak, who slammed Labour's defense, priorities and slow response. Former Royal Navy head Admiral Lord West called the fleet too small and poorly maintained,

1:04the worst in his 60 years of service. In online readiness list shows just one major warship at sea, with carriers and several destroyers in extended repairs. Only three of six Type 45 destroyers can deploy, plagued by engine issues in warm waters, while both aircraft carriers are docked for. This long fixes. Type 23 frigates are down to two ready ships, and submarine options are limited with most unavailable. Manpower has dropped by nearly 3,400 since 2012, straining operations further. As Russia ramps up its Atlantic presence, and new frigates won't arrive until later this decade, the government pledges the biggest defense boost since. The Cold War 270 billion pounds over this parliament, while pushing recruitment ties with job centers to rebuild strength,