For a mission like this, it is not about sending any ship, we need speed, we need endurance and, as the weather can be atrocious, sea-keeping is all important

Captain Iain Lower RN, Commanding Officer HMS Dragon

Dragon’s patrol area includes all the waters of the UK important to fishing and commerce as well as the UK’s oil and gas production facilities around the coastline.

HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer, Captain Iain Lower, said:

“For a mission like this, it is not about sending any ship, we need speed, we need endurance and, as the weather can be atrocious, sea-keeping is all important.

“The Russian Navy is a very capable force and it is right that the Royal Navy sends a ship that is credible and none are more so than the Type 45 destroyer. With the world’s best Air Defence radars, Dragon’s sensors are able to monitor UK airspace and sea lanes of communication at very long range.”