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flag HMS Dragon's deployment delayed due to restricted maintenance hours, raising readiness concerns amid Middle East tensions.

flag The Royal Navy’s HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer deployed to counter Iranian drone threats, is delayed in Portsmouth due to maintenance restricted to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday hours under a new contract with Serco Marine Services, union officials say. flag The ship requires extensive re-missioning of weapons systems before deployment to the Mediterranean, pushing its departure behind French and Spanish warships already on station. flag Union leaders blame the schedule shift for undermining readiness, citing reliance on voluntary overtime. flag While Serco maintains it operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and meets deadlines, union sources say critical tasks are confined to standard business hours. flag The delay occurs amid heightened regional tensions, including a U.S.-led air campaign against Iran.

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