France plans to send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus after a British air base on the island was targeted in drone attacks, according to the Cyprus News Agency.
The report said French President Emmanuel Macron informed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides of the decision, which also includes deploying a French naval frigate to the region. A Cypriot government source confirmed the development.
The move follows an attack on RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign base in Cyprus, where a drone crashed onto the runway, causing limited damage. Two additional drones were intercepted hours later.
Cypriot officials said the drone was likely an Iranian-made Shahed model launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, although the target was the British base rather than Cyprus itself.
Regional support gathers pace
The incident has prompted wider support for Cyprus. Greece has already deployed fighter jets and naval assets to the island, including a frigate equipped with anti-drone technology.
The Centauros system, used by Greece, is designed to detect and disable low-flying drones, including those capable of evading radar systems.
Tensions linked to Iran conflict
The developments come amid escalating tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory actions across the region.
Britain has confirmed that its bases in Cyprus were made available for defensive purposes, although it has said they are not being used for offensive operations.
Cyprus has called for restraint and requested that the bases be used only for humanitarian purposes.
(with inputs from Reuters)