BIRMINGHAM, England

The UK has deployed a warship to the eastern Mediterranean as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East following drone and missile attacks in the region.

The British destroyer HMS Dragon departed from HM Naval Base Portsmouth on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in about a week, the government said.

The deployment follows a drone strike earlier this month that caused minor damage to a hangar at RAF Akrotiri, a British air base in the Greek Cypriot Administration.

British officials said the drone was believed to have originated from either Lebanon or Iraq.

UK officials said the Type 45 air-defense destroyer will help protect the base and strengthen the country’s ability to counter aerial threats, including drones.

Defense Secretary John Healey said the ship’s crew prepared for the mission at an accelerated pace. “What is normally six weeks of work was completed in just six days,” he told lawmakers.

The warship is equipped with the Sea Viper missile system designed to detect and intercept airborne threats. It will also operate with Wildcat helicopters from the Royal Navy’s 815 Naval Air Squadron, armed with Martlet missiles capable of targeting drones.

British aircraft have already been involved in defensive operations. Officials said Royal Air Force Typhoon and F-35 jets shot down several drones over countries, including Jordan, and near coalition forces in Iraq.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has authorized the US to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites but has not committed British forces to offensive operations.