Akrotiri, Cyprus. British Defence Secretary John Healey said “top experts” from the United Kingdom arrived in Cyprus on Friday to help coordinate air defences for British bases on the island. He said the effort involves coordination with the United States and other allies deploying ships and systems.
Healey visit and coordination with allies
In a video posted on social media and filmed at the UK’s Akrotiri air force base, Healey said the experts would help coordinate air defences “not just what the UK is doing, but alongside the United States and other allies that are putting in their ships and their systems now”.
He said his visit was “above all” a chance to meet British forces personnel on the base and thank them, adding that the message was issued “on behalf of the proud British people, and the British government, and for the islanders of Cyprus, for their role in keeping them safe”.
British assets and expected deployments
Healey confirmed the arrival of two AW159 Wildcat helicopters on the island. He also referred to “new extra fast jets” being sent to Cyprus, describing the F-35 jets that were deployed last month, and to the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, which is expected to depart Portsmouth next week.
Cypriot government and regional naval presence
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said earlier on Friday that he and the Cypriot government were “waiting” for British assets to be “incorporated into the system” of defensive machinery sent towards the island this week.
Greece and France have deployed naval assets, with the Greek frigate Kimon now stationed off Cyprus’s coast and the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on its way. Other countries, including Spain and Italy, are also expected to send naval assets to Cyprus and its vicinity in the coming days.
Use of Cyprus as launchpad for drone interceptions
Late on Thursday night, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Cyprus had been used as a launchpad for missions aimed at engaging and shooting down drones fired from Iran.
The UK defence ministry said on Tuesday that British F-35 fighter jets had flown over Jordan, shooting down drones fired from Iran, and that the engagement marked “the first time a [Royal Air Force] F-35 has shot down a target on operations”.
What impact do you think the arrival of additional allied naval and air assets will have on regional air defence coordination?
