Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus will receive German assistance in “preventative measures” to protect the island after it was hit by an Iranian-made drone on Monday, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday evening.
German contact at operational level
Letymbiotis said President Nikos Christodoulides spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about German assistance, after which the heads of the two countries’ armed forces held operational-level contact on Tuesday.
He said the discussions focused on “Germany’s assistance,” without detailing the exact extent of support.
Defence ministers to clarify assistance
Letymbiotis said Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius are set to “finalise and clarify the manner of Germany’s assistance,” following measures taken by France and Greece.
Support from Greece, France, and the UK
Letymbiotis referenced assistance offered by Greece and France, saying both have deployed frigates to the island, and that Greece has also deployed four fighter jets.
He also said the United Kingdom is set to deploy HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer warship, and two AW159 Wildcat helicopters to Cyprus and its vicinity, after Monday’s drone hit the country’s Akrotiri air force base.
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