The warship could take several days to reach the region.
France has already resolved to send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus, while Greece has ordered frigates and fighter jets to the island following drone incursions on Monday.
A Shahed-type drone hit Britain’s RAF base at Akrotiri in Cyprus in the early hours of Monday, while more strikes targeting the base were intercepted later in the day. Akrotiri and the nearby villages have been evacuated.
The Cypriot government has criticized the U.K.’s handling of the Iran conflict, suggesting that a lack of clarity regarding the use of British bases on the island had dragged it into the crisis in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday: “Our bases in Cyprus are not being used by U.S. bombers … The security of our friends and partners in Cyprus is of critical importance. And I want to be clear, the strike on Akrotiri in Cyprus was not in response to any decision we’ve taken. In our assessment the drone was launched prior to our announcement.”
The source of the drone strike has so far not been confirmed, but Cypriot local media has reported that it probably came from Lebanon.
Luke McGee contributed reporting.