Nicosia, Cyprus. Greece will keep F-16 fighter jets in Cyprus on a permanent rotational basis, with pilots and aircraft cycling through the island as part of its air defence, Greek public broadcaster ERT reported on Tuesday.
Continuous rotational deployment in Cyprus
ERT reported that the Greek Ministry of National Defence has decided the F-16 presence will continue without interruption.
Naval deployments following outbreak of Middle East war
According to ERT, Greece dispatched frigates Kimon and Psara to Cypriot waters when the Middle East war broke out. The frigate Elli remains on standby in the area.
Internal air defence movements within Greece
Sources told ERT that internal movements of anti-aircraft systems within Greek territory are taking place for purely operational reasons. ERT also reported that a pair of Mirage fighters from Tanagra is relocating to the Combat Wing at Karpathos, where Patriot missiles had previously been stationed, to take on rapid-intervention duties in the Aegean.
How do you think the continued rotational presence of Greek F-16s in Cyprus could affect regional air defence planning?
