Turkey sends six F-16 fighters to Northern Cyprus amid Iran missile threats

ISTANBUL — Turkey deployed six F-16C fighter aircraft to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Monday, defense officials here said.

The warplanes were sent as part of a phased approach to enhancing security in light of recent developments in the region, the Ministry of Defense wrote in an announcement.

According to footage shared by Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, the aircraft will operate from Ercan International Airport, west of the capital Nicosia.

Based on the armaments visible in the video, the planes appear to be equipped to conduct combat air patrol and air defense missions over the Eastern Mediterranean.

The ministry also stated that, if necessary, additional measures may be taken depending on future developments.

This deployment follows last week’s deployment of four F-16 fighter aircraft and two frigates from Greece to Cyprus, following the Iranian attack on the British RAF Akrotiri air base on the southern part of the island.

Last week France announced that it would dispatch an aircraft carrier strike group to Cyprus to help bolster the country’s aerial defenses, along with additional land-based anti-drone and anti-missile systems.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are expected to visit the island today.

Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with one son.

伊斯坦布尔——土耳其国防官员周一表示，土耳其向北塞浦路斯土耳其共和国部署了六架F-16C战斗机。

国防部在一份声明中表示，鉴于该地区最近的事态发展，派遣这些战机是分阶段加强安全措施的一部分。

根据土耳其广播电视公司分享的视频，该飞机将从首都尼科西亚以西的埃尔詹国际机场起飞。

从视频中可见的武器装备来看，这些飞机似乎配备了在东地中海执行战斗空中巡逻和防空任务的装备。

该部还表示，如有必要，将根据未来事态发展采取额外措施。

继上周伊朗袭击位于塞浦路斯岛南部的英国皇家空军阿克罗蒂里空军基地后，希腊向塞浦路斯部署了四架 F-16 战斗机和两艘护卫舰。

上周，法国宣布将向塞浦路斯派遣一个航空母舰打击群，以帮助加强该国的空中防御，同时还将提供额外的陆基反无人机和反导弹系统。

法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙和希腊总理基里亚科斯·米佐塔基斯预计将于今日访问该岛。

杰姆·德夫里姆·亚伊拉利是《防务新闻》驻土耳其记者。他热衷于拍摄军舰，并对海军和国防议题充满热情。他出生于法国巴黎，现居土耳其伊斯坦布尔。他已婚，育有一子。