Nicosia, Cyprus. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said the Netherlands “stands with Cyprus” after his country announced it would deploy a frigate to Cypriot waters following last week’s Iranian-made drone strike on the island.
Dutch statement and planned deployment
Jetten wrote on social media that “Your security is our security,” replying to a post by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides thanking the Netherlands for its “concrete support to Cyprus”.
The Dutch frigate is part of the carrier strike group of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which French President Emmanuel Macron deployed to the eastern Mediterranean after last week’s drone strike.
Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported that the Dutch government said the frigate’s dispatch would be “a limited deployment of a defensive nature, both geographically and in terms of time,” and that the vessel is set to remain in Cypriot waters until the beginning of next month.
French carrier strike group and Macron visit
Macron visited the Charles de Gaulle on Monday after a joint visit to Cyprus alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During the Cyprus visit, Macron said the Charles de Gaulle is “now close to Cyprus to contribute to the overall defence picture, and to ensure it in the long term”.
Other deployments to Cyprus
Italy earlier announced it would send the Federico Martinego frigate to Cyprus, while Spain is to send the Cristobal Colon frigate.
Greece deployed four F-16 fighter jets to the island last Monday, as well as two frigates, including the Kimon, which Mitsotakis described during his visit as the “pride of the Greek fleet”.
After the deployment of Greek F-16s, Turkey deployed six F-16s, which arrived on the island on Monday morning.
UK measures and Akrotiri base
The United Kingdom, which operates and holds sovereignty over the Akrotiri air force base that was hit by last week’s drone, has sent multiple AW159 Wildcat helicopters armed with anti-drone missiles to Cyprus. The HMS Dragon Type 45 destroyer departed from Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
Last week, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Cyprus, and more specifically Akrotiri, has been used as the launchpad for missions aimed at engaging and shooting down drones fired from Iran.
How do you think the increased naval and air deployments around Cyprus will affect regional security?