Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkey is planning to deploy surface-to-air missiles to Cyprus amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to reports on Wednesday. The reported move follows the stationing of Turkish F-16 fighter jets in northern Cyprus.
Reports on missile deployment
Turkish newspaper Sabah reported that Turkish-made Hisar missiles will be stationed on the island, following the stationing of six Turkish F-16 fighter jets at the north’s Ercan (Tymbou) airport since Monday.
Hisar missiles use infrared homing to lock onto their targets, tracking them using the light they emit. Hisar-A short-range systems and Hisar-O medium-range systems have been in service since 2021. Reports elsewhere have suggested that it is the Hisar-A system which has been deployed to Cyprus.
Additionally, Hisar-RF systems, which use active radar homing and carry their own radar receivers to track targets, are in the prototype phase.
Drones and basing details
Sabah also reported that Bayraktar Akinci and Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat drones are stationed in Cyprus, with these likely located at the Gecitkale (Lefkoniko) aerodrome. The aerodrome was formally handed over to Turkey’s armed forces in January 2024, having been used for military purposes since 2019.
Other military deployments to the island
Turkey is one of multiple countries which have deployed military assets to Cyprus, in the aftermath of a drone strike on the island’s British Akrotiri air force base last week. Greece was reported to have been the first to deploy assets, sending four F-16s to Paphos last Monday evening.
France has also deployed assets to the island, including sending its aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle.
Greece-Turkey engagement
The deployment of Turkish hardware to the island comes as Greece and Turkey have appeared to be heading towards alignment regarding Cyprus’ role in the conflict.
Following the arrival of the Greek F-16s last week, Turkey lodged no protest. Turkey’s defence ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, announced that a delegation from the Greek air force will visit Turkey this week “within the framework of bilateral relations and regional developments,” describing the planned visit as a “confidence-building measure”.
What impact do you think the reported military deployments could have on Cyprus’ role in the regional conflict?