Summary

  • HMS Dragon, a British Type 45 Destroyer, is leaving her home base of Portsmouth headed to the Eastern Mediterranean

  • The ship has been loaded with ammunition and supplies ready to protect a UK military base in Cyprus

  • There has been criticism of the time taken to deploy the warship

Live Reporting

Steve Humphrey, Jo Kent and Dan Kerins

  1. End of live coverage

    That's it for our live video stream of HMS Dragon leaving Portsmouth. The vessel is now in The Solent and well on its way to Cyprus.

    Thanks for joining us.

  2. HMS Dragon leaves Portsmouth Harbour
    Breaking

    The vessel has now officially left Portsmouth Harbour, having sailed past the Round Tower which marks the entrance to the harbour.

    The Type 45 is now in The Solent, and will sail past the Isle of Wight, towards the Bay of Biscay before rounding the Iberian peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

  3. Dragon sets sail

    HMS Dragon has begun to turn around in Portsmouth Harbour, as the vessel begins the journey to the Eastern Mediterranean.

    Guided by tugs, the Type 45 Destroyer is preparing to leave the harbour outside the naval base.

  4. HMS Dragon due to leave Portsmouth

    Jo Kent
    South of England

    Good afternoon. We are at the Round Tower at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, where we are watching the departure of HMS Dragon, which you can see in real time via our live stream - tap the Watch Live button above.

    The BBC's Steve Humphrey is watching from the Southsea shore as the vessel begins its journey to the waters around Cyprus.

    The British Type 45 Destroyer is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

    The ship and her crew are tasked with protecting UK military bases in Cyprus.