Six Turkish F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems deployed to Cyprus
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Ankara has also sent forces to Cyprus due to the war in the Middle East.
- 09 Μαρτίου 2026 12:28
Turkey has decided to deploy F-16 fighter jets as well as air defence systems to Cyprus amid the escalating war in the Middle East.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, Ankara deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to the occupied areas of Cyprus “as part of measures to enhance the security of the Turkish Cypriot community and protect strategic installations in the region.”
“Ankara is ready to take additional measures for the security of the Turkish Cypriots if this becomes necessary,” the same statement said.
It is recalled that following the outbreak of the war between the United States and Israel against Iran, and after an Iranian drone crashed at the British Akrotiri Base, Greece sent two frigates and two pairs of F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus, while additional reinforcements are being sent by Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Today, the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Cyprus is also expected, carrying strong symbolism.
Macron’s trip to Cyprus was announced by the French Presidency on Sunday afternoon. The Greek Prime Minister’s office later confirmed that Mr Mitsotakis would also visit Cyprus, without providing details regarding a meeting with the French president.
However, according to Le Monde, Mr Macron, Mr Mitsotakis and the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, will visit the “Andreas Papandreou” air base in Paphos. This base is the main military air installation of the Republic of Cyprus and is where the two pairs of F-16 fighter jets sent by Greece are stationed following Hezbollah’s drone attacks on British bases in Cyprus.
The three leaders are expected to hold a meeting afterwards and send clear messages, at a time when more and more European countries are sending military assistance to Cyprus. In addition to the two pairs of F-16 fighter jets and the frigates Kimon and Psara sent by Greece, France is supporting Cyprus with the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the frigate Languedoc, as well as anti-missile and anti-drone systems.
