The Netherlands is sending the air defence frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805) to the Eastern Mediterranean, as Cyprus faces heightened security concerns following a drone strike on a British military base on the island.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed the decision in a post on X. “I express deep gratitude to Prime Minister Rob Jetten and the government of the Netherlands for their tangible support for Cyprus, with the decision to deploy a frigate to Cyprus, together with other European partners,” he said.
“This is European solidarity in action. Standing by Cyprus means defending the security and stability of the European Union.”
The Evertsen, which carries approximately 200 personnel including command staff and is capable of defending a full fleet formation, is currently sailing alongside the Charles de Gaulle, which had until recently been deployed in the Baltic Sea.