akrotiri base — The British base at Akrotiri remains on high alert as the United Kingdom accelerates the reinforcement of its forces in the region following the recent drone strike.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
- akrotiri base — The British base at Akrotiri remains on high alert as the United Kingdom accelerates the reinforcement of its forces in the region following the recent drone strike.
On Tuesday night, a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III landed at the Akrotiri airbase, marking a significant step in bolstering the UK’s military capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean. Officials describe this arrival as a new phase in strengthening deterrent measures.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
The aircraft, operating under the callsign RRR6140 (ASCOT), completed its journey from RAF Brize Norton, touching down just before 11 p.m. It is believed to have transported essential military equipment, which British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has alluded to in recent statements. This equipment may include specialised helicopters and advanced electronic warfare systems.
As the transport aircraft taxied on the runway, heightened security measures were evident. Concurrently, an MQ-9B Protector RG Mk1 drone, one of the Royal Air Force’s latest surveillance platforms, conducted monitoring operations over the eastern Mediterranean. This drone is equipped to remain airborne for over 40 hours, providing continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance across a vast area from the Lebanese coast to Syria.
Its presence was crucial in ensuring the safe arrival of the reinforcements, as it actively searched for potential threats, including drones similar to the Iranian-manufactured Shahed type. The Protector drones are certified to operate safely alongside civilian aircraft, such as those flying from Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport, thereby minimising the risk of incidents during periods of heightened military activity.
