European navies deploy warships to eastern Mediterranean after Cyprus drone attack

Several European countries are deploying naval and air assets to the eastern Mediterranean following a drone attack on a British military base in Cyprus earlier this week.

The reinforcement comes after an Iranian-made drone struck the UK air base at RAF Akrotiri on Monday, prompting European governments to strengthen air and maritime defences around the island.

Greece was among the first to respond, dispatching two frigates — Kimon and Psara — along with four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the region.

France followed by sending the frigate Languedoc, equipped with missile and drone defence systems, while its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has also been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. On Thursday, Spain announced it would send its most advanced warship, the Cristóbal Colón, an Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate, to join French and Greek forces. The vessel is expected to arrive near Crete next week.

Italy also confirmed it will deploy naval assets to support Cyprus. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament that Rome agreed with France, Spain and Netherlands that the EU should send a clear message of solidarity with the island.

The Netherlands is preparing to send the frigate HNLMS Evertsen to operate alongside France’s carrier strike group. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed Italy’s participation and thanked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for supporting the deployment.

The United Kingdom has also announced additional reinforcements. The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon will travel roughly 5,500 kilometres to the region and is expected to arrive within a week. The vessel will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles designed to counter drone threats.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus on Thursday and met Cypriot Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas to discuss further strengthening air defences.

Security alerts have continued in the area since the attack. Late on Wednesday evening, warning messages were sent to residents near Akrotiri after authorities detected a potential security threat. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis later said the alert was precautionary and that no immediate threat had been identified.

Earlier that day, Cyprus also detected a suspicious object near Lebanese airspace, prompting Greek F-16 jets to scramble from the Paphos Air Base. The alert was cancelled after more than an hour once the situation was assessed as safe.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter