The deployment of the British warship HMS Dragon to Cyprus has faced delays attributed to the operating hours of the naval base where it is undergoing repairs. The ship is intended to provide protection for a British base on the island following an attack from Iranian drones over the recent weekend. However, the departure has been postponed to allow personnel to complete welding and other maintenance tasks, which are hindered by the base not being open around the clock.

The union 'Prospect' has raised concerns regarding the situation, indicating that reduced working hours introduced by the Ministry of Defence and the private contractor Serco for cost-saving measures have exacerbated the delays. Specifically, it has been reported that the Portsmouth base no longer operates 24/7, but rather functions from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. This limitation restricts the availability of the workforce needed to expedite the necessary repairs and maintenance of HMS Dragon.

Mike Clancy, the General Secretary of Prospect, emphasized the critical nature of the services involved, asserting that essential operations should not rely on such narrow working hours. The situation highlights the potential risks and challenges faced by military operations when administrative cost-cutting measures affect operational readiness in times of heightened security concerns.