Israel Iran War · 3 March 2026
UK Deploys Warship as RAF F-35s Score First Combat Kills
Britain is sending Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles to the Eastern Mediterranean after a drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. RAF F-35B jets shot down drones over Jordan, marking the aircraft's first ever combat kill. An RAF Typhoon from the joint UK-Qatar squadron also destroyed an Iranian drone targeting Doha. Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK is moving quickly to reinforce its defensive presence.
Reported by GOV.UK · How we write briefs