HMS Dragon 'bobs about in Channel for THREE days' on journey to Cyprus

HMS Dragon spent three days 'bobbing about in the Channel' after being ordered to Cyprus to help defend British forces from drone attacks.

The Type-45 destroyer only left UK waters yesterday despite setting sail from Portsmouth on Tuesday. 

The first thing the £1billion warship did after leaving the harbour was switch off its transponder – the system which broadcasts a vessel's position – meaning its movements could no longer be publicly tracked.

HMS Dragon had also been scheduled to stop at Plymouth for a crew change, but those plans were reportedly abandoned as pressure mounted to get the vessel to the eastern Mediterranean.

Sir Keir Starmer ordered HMS Dragon's departure after RAF Akrotiri, a British base in Cyprus, was struck by an enemy drone on March 1.

But critics say the move came too late with his slow response to the war in the Middle East leaving the air base vulnerable to attack. 

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers carry the country's best air defence missiles but all six were stuck in port when the drone hit RAF Akrotiri.

The warships are capable of launching multiple interceptor missiles at once to destroy incoming drones or missiles.

HMS Dragon is classed as operational and therefore it should have been ready to sail at 72 hours' notice.

But the £1billion warship was in dock undergoing welding work when the Royal Navy thrust her back into service.

Navy sources have since insisted 'they did six weeks' work in six days' to get her ready to sail to Cyprus. 

But this explanation has done little to quieten critics.

Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West told The Sun: 'There is no understanding in government of the importance of maritime power.

'There isn't a single warship between Singapore and Gibraltar.

'It's astonishing that no one had the geopolitical sense to make these decisions earlier.'

An MOD spokesperson confirmed HMS Dragon is in transit to the Eastern Mediterranean, adding that sometimes ships finish their final preparations while out at sea. 

They said: 'For reasons of operational security we won't provide a running commentary on ship movements.

'HMS Dragon is continuing her transit to the Eastern Mediterranean, where she will play a vital role in safeguarding UK assets and interests in the region. 

'This follows the ship's company and support staff working flat out to deploy her, completing six weeks work in just six days.'

They added: 'It's not uncommon for ships to continue final maintenance and preparations while on deployment at sea, shortly after sailing from port.'

HMS Dragon is expected to take a week to reach Cypriot waters. Once there she is expected to join Greek, French, Italian, Spanish and Netherlands' ships.  

On Tuesday, Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute to military and civilian staff who prepared HMS Dragon, saying: 'I have only praise for our teams who worked flat out.

'What is normally six weeks of work was completed in just six days. A remarkable effort delivered around the clock. They are the very best of Britain in action.'

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The destroyer's departure came hours after Ministry of Defence officials confirmed that the UK's designated civilian evacuation vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, is being readied for a possible deployment.

With 173,000 Britons having registered their presence in the region, Lyme Bay could play a key role in evacuation efforts. 

The 579ft Bay-class dock landing ship – part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – was on a shortened 'notice to move' period on Tuesday.

If her involvement is approved, she is expected to rescue UK civilians stranded in countries such as Lebanon, sailing them to relative safety in Cyprus.

On Tuesday night, defence officials said preparations for a possible deployment of RFA Lyme Bay were 'prudent planning'. 

But the ship, which would carry a contingent of Royal Marines and medical specialists, could have been readied in January when other preparations were made.

Neither ship is expected to play any part in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important maritime oil and gas route.