LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, EU member states and the UK have started new military deployments to the Eastern Mediterranean and around the Greek Cypriot Administration.

After leaving the UK at the beginning of the month in line with a prior decision, the HMS Dragon warship has reached the Eastern Mediterranean.

A total of 500 additional air defense personnel to be sent to the UK’s sovereign bases in the Greek Cypriot Administration are expected to arrive on the island in the coming days.

According to information Anadolu examined from open sources, the UK, Greece, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands have sent aircraft carriers, fighter jets, frigates, helicopters, and anti-drone systems to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides, following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation—and especially after a March 2 drone strike on the British base in Akrotiri—personally telephoned European leaders one by one to request military assistance.

His appeals were followed by military deployments by the UK and some EU member states to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Additional UK deployments

The UK, which has military bases in the Greek Cypriot Administration, sent six F-35 fighter jets to its Akrotiri base in early February—before US and Israeli attacks on Iran began—in addition to the Eurofighter Typhoon jets already stationed there.

Two AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopters equipped with multi-purpose Martlet missiles for use against drones were transported by cargo aircraft and deployed to the base at Akrotiri.

In addition to the helicopters sent at the beginning of March, the UK also deployed a Merlin Mk2 helicopter to its sovereign base on the island.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey announced that the HMS Dragon, considered one of the world’s most advanced air defense ships, has reached the Eastern Mediterranean.

Healey said the Dragon would begin operational integration into the Greek Cypriot Administration’s defense.

According to Greek Cypriot media, 500 additional air defense personnel are also expected to be deployed to British bases on the island in the coming days.

Greek aircraft and ships active in Greek Cypriot Administration

Greece sent four F-16 fighter jets to the Greek Cypriot Administration in response to a call by Christodoulides.

According to Greek Cypriot media, the jets have been deployed to Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos and have begun training flights.

Reports also say that two Greek frigates, the Kimon and the Psara, are doing patrols off the southern coastal city of Limassol.

Greek Orthodox Archbishop Georgios visited the Greek warships anchored at Limassol and held a blessing ceremony, also saying he hopes they remain there permanently.

French aircraft carrier off Cypriot coast

Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that an aircraft carrier and several warships would be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its accompanying ships were deployed off Paphos, a city on the island’s southwestern coast.

The location of the Charles de Gaulle—previously positioned off Crete—was reportedly first identified through tracking by drone radar and then via a fitness app used by an officer.

Macron visited the aircraft carrier during a March 9 visit to the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Separately, the English-language Cyprus Mail reported that the French frigate Languedoc arrived off the coast of the island.

German frigate support

Germany was also among the countries responding to Christodoulides’ calls for military assistance.

The German Navy frigate FGS Nordrhein-Westfalen arrived off Limassol last week, joining the growing number of European military forces deployed to the island.

Italian and Dutch ships

The Italian Navy frigate Federico Martinengo, with more than 160 personnel, has reached the vicinity of the Greek Cypriot Administration, while the Dutch air defense frigate HNLMS Evertsen has begun operations around the island.

Greek Cypriot media reported that although the Dutch frigate’s main naval gun was temporarily disabled, it continued operations with an alternative weapon system. The ship reportedly carries around 180 personnel and has advanced air defense capabilities.

Spanish ship in the region

According to a report by Philenews citing Spain’s Defense Ministry, the frigate Cristobal Colon was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to help protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and certain Greek warships.

The report added that Cristobal Colon could also carry out missions including providing air defense for ships and assisting in the evacuation of non-military personnel.

*Writing by Berk Kutay Gokmen in Istanbul