Britain, France And Greece Send Anti Drone Systems To Cyprus After Base Attack

Britain, France and Greece are deploying anti-drone systems and naval vessels to Cyprus after a British air base on the Mediterranean island came under drone attack Monday, pulling the European Union state into regional turmoil following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday that Britain was sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to Cyprus and deploying the air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to the region.

France plans to send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus, Cypriot officials said Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron communicated the intention to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides early Tuesday.

Cyprus government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said France would send anti-missile and anti-drone systems, as well as a frigate.

Naija News gathered that the Joint Staff of the French army said it was constantly assessing the situation.

“The French armed forces are acting in coordination with our regional partners with a view to contributing to the stability of the region, particularly under existing defence agreements,” the statement said.

Attack Forces Hundreds To Evacuate Homes

Monday’s attack on RAF Akrotiri damaged the runway. Although the base is considered sovereign British territory, it sits close to populated areas inhabited by Cypriots, prompting hundreds to evacuate their homes.

Cypriot officials said an Iranian-made Shahed drone evaded radar by flying at low altitude and most likely came from an Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah in Lebanon. British forces intercepted two other drones on Monday.

Greece dispatched four F-16 fighter jets to the island. Two frigates, one equipped with its anti-drone Centauros jamming system, were also sailing to Cyprus.

Meanwhile, according to reports, the Centauros system, which Greece has successfully deployed against Houthi rebels attacking shipping lanes off Yemen, can detect and disable low-flying drones, even those hugging terrain or skimming the sea surface.

“Greece is present, and will continue to be present to assist in any way in the defence of the Republic of Cyprus,” Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said during a visit to Nicosia on Tuesday.

Cyprus has modest defence capabilities and no substantial air force. The country once relied heavily on Russia, but recent modernisation efforts include acquiring the Barak MX air defence system to strengthen aerial coverage.