Keir Starmer humiliated as French warships to defend British bases | Politics | News

France will send missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus amid concerns over Britain’s ability to defend its bases against Iranian attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered troops, including two frigates, to the Eastern Mediterranean after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone that penetrated its air defenses on Sunday night.

The Royal Navy has six Type 45 destroyers designed for air defence, but Defense Secretary Vernon Coaker confirmed in January that only three were operational.

Reports indicate that only one of these, HMS Duncan, is currently at sea off the UK, with the other two moored alongside at HMNB Portsmouth.

The lead ship of the class, HMS Daring, has been out of commission for almost nine years, while the other three are in various stages of lengthy engine upgrades.

Damage in Akrotiri was said to be “minimal”, officials said.

The base is home to more than 3,500 British personnel and their families. They were all shot down by a “kamikaze” drone, which security sources claim was fired by Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists near Lebanon, just 120 miles away.

However, concerns increased because Tehran could hit the base in the first place.

Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said extra defense capabilities, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets and ground-based air defence, had recently been moved to bases in Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides called on both Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to send navy ships to help protect the island.

Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said Sir Keir Starmer’s “failure to be a reliable ally” had put relations with the US “under great pressure”.

don’t talk later Donald TrumpIn an interview with The Sun, Mr Jenrick said it was “sad” to see the ‘special relationship’ expressed in this way.

He continued: “It is bigger and deeper than a prime minister and a president, so I am sure it can be rebuilt in the future.

“However, it is now quite clear that the Prime Minister’s inability to be a reliable ally of the United States puts him under great pressure, and this is cause for concern.

“I’m actually more interested in Britain’s interests than what any other leader thinks of the UK, even though we have a very important ally.

“And again I think Starmer got it wrong, because we have seen drone attacks on our base in Cyprus endanger our soldiers and the military families living there.

“The Prime Minister’s reaction was too slow. He should have put our bases into use earlier and used the military assets we have more harshly to defend that base.”