Sirens sounded at RAF Akrotiri on Friday morning as regional tensions continue to place Cyprus at the centre of a growing international military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
At the same time, two British helicopters are expected to arrive on the island later today.
Expanding European military presence
The coalition of forces being deployed around Cyprus is increasingly taking on a European dimension, as several EU countries send naval assets to strengthen security in the area.
European states participating in the deployment are invoking Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union as the legal basis for the mobilisation.
In addition to Greece and France, countries including Spain, the Netherlands and Italy have either sent or are preparing to send naval vessels to the region. The move is widely seen as a signal of European support for Cyprus amid heightened security concerns.
The Dutch government confirmed this week that it had received a request from France to support the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, with the matter currently under consideration. According to the Dutch foreign ministry, a decision on participation or military deployment has not yet been made. The Dutch Defence Ministry has meanwhile said a Dutch frigate is already heading towards the region so that no time is lost should a deployment decision be taken.
From the developing network of cooperation, however, Germany remains notably absent. Berlin had initially expressed interest in sending naval forces to Cyprus but ultimately decided not to proceed at this stage. German authorities have indicated that the decision may be reassessed depending on how the situation evolves in the Eastern Mediterranean.
British forces are also part of the growing military presence around the island, with London announcing additional deployments in the area.
Naval shield forming around the island
According to current assessments, all participating naval assets are expected to be in operational positions by early next week.
Once fully deployed, the forces are expected to operate in coordination with the Republic of Cyprus to establish what officials describe as a powerful protective shield around the island.
The military buildup comes amid concerns over potential threats originating from Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters, as well as possible escalation involving Iran.
Defence minister raises NATO membership question
Speaking to Politis radio, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said the current geopolitical environment could represent a favourable moment for Cyprus to reconsider its relationship with NATO.
Palmas emphasised that the government’s immediate priority remains the protection of the country’s critical infrastructure and the safety of its citizens.