Greece Deploys Frigates and F-16 Jets to Cyprus Following RAF Akrotiri Drone Strikes

Greek Military Responds to Drone Attacks in Cyprus

In a significant move to bolster regional security, Greece has deployed military assets, including two frigates and four F-16 fighter jets, to Cyprus. This action comes in the wake of recent drone strikes targeting the British RAF Akrotiri base on the island, an event that has heightened tensions across the Eastern Mediterranean.

The deployment was announced by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who affirmed Greece's commitment to supporting Cyprus 'in every possible way' during the ongoing crisis.

Drone Strikes on RAF Akrotiri

The catalyst for Greece's military response was a series of drone incidents. A Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle reportedly struck the runway of RAF Akrotiri a few minutes past midnight on March 2, 2026, causing what the U.K. Ministry of Defence described as 'minimal damage' with no reported casualties. Cypriot authorities also reported that two additional drones targeting the base were intercepted on the same day.

The strikes are widely attributed to Iran or Iranian-backed proxies, such as Hezbollah from Lebanon, and are believed to be in retaliation for U.S. operations conducted from British bases in Cyprus, which supported U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran. The incident at RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign base area, prompted precautionary measures, including the temporary evacuation of Paphos Airport due to a drone alert.

Details of the Greek Deployment

The Hellenic Armed Forces' deployment includes:

• Two frigates: The FDI HN frigate Kimon (F-601), described as the most advanced vessel in the Hellenic Navy and capable of providing long-range air defense with its SEAFIRE radar and ASTER 30 Block 1 surface-to-air missiles. This marks the frigate's first operational mission. The second frigate is the Hydra-class frigate Psara, equipped with Greece's domestically developed Centaur counter-drone system, which can detect unmanned aerial vehicles up to 150 kilometers away and jam their signals. The Psara previously saw action against Houthi forces in the Red Sea.
• Four F-16 fighter jets: Initially announced as a 'pair,' Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis later confirmed the arrival of four F-16s in Cyprus. These are specifically F-16 Block 52+ fighters, capable of combat air patrols and rapid intercept missions.
• A Greek C-130 Hercules transport plane also arrived on the island.

This coordinated effort underscores the close military ties between Greece and Cyprus, with Athens historically serving as a protective power for the island.

International Context and Cypriot Stance

The military buildup in Cyprus reflects broader regional instability. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that his country 'does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,' seeking to distance the nation from the widening conflict. Meanwhile, other European allies have also responded; France is sending anti-missile and anti-drone systems along with the frigate Languedoc, and Britain is deploying the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and Wildcat helicopters to reinforce defenses in the Eastern Mediterranean.