A major concentration of military forces is forming in the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen Cyprus’ defence against potential Iranian attacks, as the island’s air defence systems and international coordination mechanisms are brought into focus.
Two Greek frigates — Kimon and Psara — along with four Greek F-16 fighter jets and the Royal Air Force (RAF) are already operating in the region.
A French frigate and a French missile defence system are also expected to arrive in Cyprus and the surrounding area, while Germany may also deploy a frigate.
According to the British newspaper The Times, the United Kingdom is also considering sending a warship to the region to reinforce the protection of the British Bases.
According to information obtained by philenews, the Cyprus National Guard General Staff (GEEF) has assumed responsibility for coordinating operations involving Greek and French forces and potentially German units if Berlin proceeds with a deployment to the eastern Mediterranean.
The National Guard has previously rehearsed this scenario through multinational air-naval exercises in which Cyprus coordinated allied movements. One example is the “Evnomia” exercise, which involves Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy. Military planners believe the experience gained from such exercises could now prove important in practice.
At the same time, the National Guard remains in communication with the British Bases, which operate independently under their own operational planning. Officials believe that coordination would not present difficulties in the event of a threat.
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