European allies, including the UK, Greece, and France, are moving to reinforce Cyprus after a drone struck the British Royal Air Force Akrotiri base on the Mediterranean island on March 2 amid rising tensions across the Middle East.
The UK said on March 3 that it will be deploying helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, in the region.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement after speaking with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” Starmer said. “We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
In an earlier statement on Monday, Starmer said that the drone incident at RAF Akrotiri was not linked to London’s decision to grant a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes. He assured Christodoulides on a phone call on March 1 that Cyprus was not considered a target.
On March 2, Greece announced the deployment of four F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus, Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a March 3 statement. Two Greek frigates are expected to approach the island on March 3, he added.
Christodoulides met with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias in Nicosia on Tuesday, where he thanked the Greek authorities for their swift response.
“Your immediate response is being followed by other European states,” he said. “I spoke with the French President; there was a response. I am in contact with the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Italy, and this proves in practice that Greece is opening the way for how the European Union should respond in such cases.”
Following a phone conversation between Christodoulides and French President Emmanuel Macron, Letymbiotis confirmed on March 3 that France’s contribution had been finalized.
“It is a frigate with anti-ballistic and anti-drone systems,” he said.
Germany has not yet announced a specific deployment but has indicated a favorable stance toward supporting Cyprus. Letymbiotis said that Berlin’s initial response had been encouraging and that Cypriot authorities were awaiting a final decision.
When asked whether Italy would also send assistance, Letymbiotis said that Cyprus is coordinating with all partners.
“They are evaluating, the responses are positive,” he added.
Letymbiotis said the concentration of forces off Cyprus does not make the country part of the conflict. He described the steps taken as preventive measures during a regional crisis.
“We have made it clear and we constantly repeat it, and we will repeat it today. The Republic of Cyprus has neither participated, nor is participating, nor is it going to participate in any military operation, but only to serve its humanitarian role, as it has been doing all this time,” he stated.
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