Two Greek F-16s intercepted drones before they could enter Cypriot airspace on Wednesday morning, according to Cypriot government sources.
According to reports, at 9:30 a.m., suspicious drones were detected originating from Lebanon, heading toward the British military bases at Akrotiri, Cyprus. Airspace was temporarily closed to clear the skies for military operations. It remains unclear at this time whether the Greek F-16s intercepted or shot down the drones.
By decision of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), Greece has deployed naval and air assets to Cyprus to assist in the surveillance and protection of Cypriot airspace from a potential Iranian attack. The deployment includes:
- FDI Frigate Kimon: Embarking on its maiden voyage, the advanced FDI frigate is heading to Cyprus.
- MEKO-class Frigate: A second frigate, equipped with the domestically produced “Kentauros” anti-drone system, will join the fleet to address threats from unmanned aerial vehicles.
- F-16 fighters: A pair of F-16 Block 52+ aircraft has been dispatched to provide air defense support.
Νέος συναγερμός για πιθανό ύποπτο αντικείμενο- Απογειώθηκαν τα ελληνικά f-16 pic.twitter.com/fkme86Aop4
— Sigmalive (@Sigmalivecom) March 4, 2026
The deployment follows a telephone consultation between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. The mission is being interpreted as a tangible sign of Athens’ support for Nicosia during a period of extreme regional volatility.
This is a developing story
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