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Türkiye is considering deploying F-16 fighter jets to the island of Cyprus in light of recent developments, Defense Ministry sources said Saturday, adding that phased plans are being prepared to ensure the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
“In light of recent developments, phased plans are being made to ensure the security of the TRNC,” the sources said.
“The deployment of F-16 aircraft to the island is one of the issues being evaluated,” the sources added.
The development comes as several European countries announced new military deployments to the island amid the escalating conflict linked to the United States and Israel’s war with Iran.
A British warship due to be sent to Greek Cyprus will not depart from Britain until next week, Western officials said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that the United Kingdom would deploy HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air defense destroyer, to support what he described as Britain’s “defensive operations” in the region.
The move followed several Iranian drone attacks targeting Western allies in the Middle East and after the British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Greek Cyprus was struck overnight from Sunday to Monday.
A drone believed to be Iranian-made hit the runway of the base during the attack.
Greece has also deployed two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to the island.
France said it would send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Greek Cyprus following the drone attack on the British base.
After four Greek F-16 fighter jets arrived on the island and two Greek frigates sailed toward Cypriot waters, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Cyprus had secured additional support from key European Union partners.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament Thursday that Italy would send naval assets to help protect EU member Cyprus alongside Spain, France and the Netherlands.
Crosetto said the deployment would take place in the coming days.
Spain also announced it would send its most advanced frigate to Cyprus after the drone strike on the British base drew the island into the wider regional crisis, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Turkish officials said Wednesday that a ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading toward Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air defense systems.
Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said the missile had been “engaged and neutralized by NATO air-and-missile defense assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.”
Officials did not specify the intended target of the missile.
Iran has launched missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets since Feb. 28.
Some of the attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including ports and residential buildings.
Tehran says the strikes are in response to a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that has killed hundreds of people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials.
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