The Royal Navy said the helicopter had a “powerful radar and mission system” which would provide a “defence against aerial threats”.
It said it could fly at a height of one mile (1.6km) and would give advance warning of incoming drones or missiles.
Hall said the 820 Naval Air Squadron had “experience of providing force protection from similar threats, having deployed ASaC [Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control] aircraft on active operations in the Red Sea last year during the transits of the carrier strike group led by HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast”.
He said the helicopter would compliment “the defensive measures” provided by both the Wildcat aircraft and HMS Dragon and would add “a layered capability for the protection of UK forces.”