Following the Iranian Shahed-type drone strike on the British military base at Akrotiri, the interception of two more drones, as well as explicit threats against Cyprus by a senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Greece has activated the Greece-Cyprus defence doctrine and deployed a variety of assets to protect the Mediterranean island.
Two frigates have been dispatched to Cyprus and are set to arrive Wednesday. Greece’s newest frigate, the Belharra-class Kimon, serves as the fleet’s watchtower, utilizing a state-of-the-art radar capable of monitoring 800 targets simultaneously from 500 kilometres (310 miles) away. The Kimon is also armed with 32 Aster 30 missile cells that can destroy aerial threats at distances exceeding 120 kilometers (74.5 miles).
Joining the Kimon is the battle-tested MEKO-class frigate Psara previously deployed in the Red Sea to counter Houthi drones targeting merchant ships. The Psara features a Greek-made Centauros anti-drone system that can detect incoming hostiles from 150 kilometers (93 miles) away and initiate countermeasures from 25 km (15.5 miles) away. Rather than relying on physical ammunition, the Centauros jams the guidance systems of incoming drones, while working with the Psara’s rapid-fire guns to shoot them down.
Four of Greece’s most advanced F-16s in Viper configuration, as well as a C-130 carrying their support crew, have also been dispatched from Crete to Paphos to bolster the island’s air defences.
Finally, Greece is transferring two Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries to strengthen the air defence chain in the south-east. One battery of the proven American made, surface-to-air missile system will be set up on the island of Karpathos while a second will be stationed at Souda base in Crete.
Meanwhile, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis arrived at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, shortly after 11:00 am local time on Tuesday. Welcomed by his Cypriot counterpart, Vasilis Palmas, Dendias subsequently held a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
Reaffirming Athens’ unwavering commitment to the defence of Cyprus, Dendias stated, “I came to convey to you, to Vassilis and to the Cypriot people the support of the Greek government and the Greek people,” stressing that “Greece will give whatever help it can to Cyprus, based on its capabilities.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also informed his Cypriot counterpart today that France is deploying anti-missile systems, anti-drone systems, and up to two frigates to the island of Cyprus. This decision was communicated early on Tuesday morning, following telephone conversations the two leaders had the previous day.
