french rafale — French Rafale fighter jets could deploy to Cyprus, as the island seeks to bolster its defences following escalating tensions in the region. This announcement came from Yiannis Antoniou, the deputy government spokesman, on Monday, amid a series of unsettling incidents including an Iranian drone strike at RAF Akrotiri.
On the same day, Cypriot authorities intercepted a second wave of drones, leading to the evacuation of Paphos airport. An IRGC general has also threatened missile strikes on the island, prompting immediate and heightened military readiness.
French rafale: Reinforcement Efforts Underway
Antoniou confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding the possible arrival of French aircraft, although he emphasised that Cyprus does not desire an excessive concentration of military forces. “We do not wish for a large build-up of forces,” he stated, pointing out potential command and control issues that could arise from such deployments.
Greek Military Support Arrives
In a show of solidarity, four Greek F-16s landed in Cyprus on Monday afternoon. Additionally, two Greek navy frigates are en route to the island, including the newly commissioned FDI frigate Kimon, which boasts advanced capabilities such as the SEAFIRE radar and ASTER 30 surface-to-air missiles. This frigate, along with another equipped with a domestically produced anti-drone system, is expected to anchor south of Limassol and Paphos to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Airport Operations Resume After Evacuation
Paphos airport was evacuated earlier in the day due to a suspected drone sighting, but operations returned to normal after authorities gave the all-clear. Sirens also sounded at the Akrotiri base, prompting British Typhoon and F-35 warplanes to scramble as two further drones were intercepted.
Increased Security Measures
The heightened alert extends beyond military bases, with reports of increased security at the British base in Dhekelia and the US Embassy in Nicosia. The Cypriot government has consistently reiterated that the Republic is not a party to the ongoing conflict and is not engaged in any military operations.
Diplomatic Engagements Planned
Amid these developments, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias is scheduled to arrive in Nicosia on Tuesday for discussions with President Christodoulides and Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. These meetings come at a critical juncture as both nations navigate the complexities of regional security.
