The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is being sent to waters around Cyprus to help protect military personnel stationed on the island following a drone strike on an RAF base amid continued conflict in the Middle East, according to claims. The warship is not expected to set sail until next week and will likely not arrive in the region until mid-March, as reported. HMS Dragon remains in Portsmouth as she stocks up on ammunition and undergoes maintenance work prior to setting sail for the Eastern Mediterranean, sources indicate.
Prospect, which represents tug boat workers and engineers at HMNB Portsmouth, argues Government decisions to slash costs by reducing staffing at the base have contributed to delays in the warship setting sail, the union claims. According to the Prospect union, government cost-cutting measures to only employ staff 9-5 at a UK naval port has helped slow down the deployment of a warship to the Mediterranean, based on a contract change. The Ministry of Defence reportedly signed a contract last year ending around-the-clock hours of defence workers at Portsmouth naval base.
Our members are stepping up to help, but such a vital service shouldn’t be dependent on goodwill from staff. Out-of-hours support should be locked into the contract.
The MoD reportedly awarded a new contract to private operator Serco for in-port services at the base in May last year. Prospect claims this reduced capacity, with around-the-clock staffing stopped and 9am to 5pm weekday hours instead introduced. Prospect claimed its members at Serco Marine Services had to come forward to offer to work evenings and weekends to get HMS Dragon ready to deploy following developments in the Gulf.
The union's General Secretary, Mike Clancy, stated, 'Our members are stepping up to help, but such a vital service shouldn’t be dependent on goodwill from staff. ' However, the union’s position has been disputed by both the MoD and Serco, stating that while hours have been reduced, overtime and weekend working is included in the contract. Serco also said the core working day is 7am to 7pm under the contract.
This contract has failed its first real encounter with a serious crisis, and must be urgently reviewed and rectified.
' The exact terms of the contract between the MoD and Serco regarding working hours and overtime are not publicly detailed, and it is unknown how long the delay has been compared to the original deployment schedule. The deployment comes as tensions in the Middle East have escalated, with the drone strike on the RAF base highlighting security concerns for military assets in the region. HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer known for its air defence capabilities, is tasked with providing protection to personnel in Cyprus, underscoring the strategic importance of timely naval deployments.
The delay has sparked debate over the impact of privatisation and cost-saving measures on military readiness, with unions warning that reduced staffing could compromise operational efficiency. Background on the contract reveals that the MoD's shift to Serco aimed to streamline services, but critics argue it may have led to understaffing during critical periods. The Royal Navy has not commented on the specific allegations, focusing instead on the ship's preparation.
Meanwhile, industry analysts note that such disputes are common in defence contracting, where balancing budgets with operational needs is a persistent challenge. The situation at Portsmouth naval base reflects broader trends in defence spending, as governments seek to cut costs while maintaining military capabilities. As HMS Dragon awaits departure, the controversy highlights the complexities of managing naval logistics amid geopolitical crises.