US EditionSpain, Italy and Netherlands join European naval deployment to Cyprus
Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, and UK send naval and air assets to Cyprus to strengthen defenses after an Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri, supporting regional stability.
- On 05/03/2026, Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to protect EU member Cyprus in the coming days.
- An unmanned drone strike on RAF Akrotiri on Monday targeted the British base, prompting Britain, France and Greece to send air-defence forces on Tuesday.
- Britain is deploying the HMS Dragon with the Sea Viper system launching eight missiles in under 10 seconds, France's carrier force includes 20 Rafale jets and two Hawkeye aircraft, and helicopters with Martlet missiles plus Greece's F-16s and Centauros system are also en route.
- The defence ministry said the arriving warships will offer protection and aerial defence and support any evacuation of civilians, while hundreds near Akrotiri base and families have evacuated amid local disappointment over information-sharing.
- European capitals remain cautious even as they move to protect Cyprus, with Spain rejecting US base access despite intense pressure from US President Donald Trump and some countries permitting conditional US use while Italy says parliamentary approval is likely required.
120 Articles
120 Articles
UK cut staff hours at key naval base responding to Cyprus drone strike
LONDON — Britain’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract last year ending around-the-clock staffing at a key naval base, which a union representing defense workers says is contributing to the delays deploying to defend Cyprus as the Middle East crisis escalates. Warship HMS Dragon is at the center of a row over Britain’s response to the targeting of its Royal Air Force base on Cyprus. The vessel is being prepared for deployment to the Mediterran…
Following Britain, France, and Germany, Italy has also announced its support for Gulf allies affected by Iran's retaliatory attacks. As the aftermath of the war spreads to neighboring Europe, including a drone attack on a British air force base in Cyprus, major European countries are also responding.
Madrid sends its most modern frigate, the "Cristóbal Colón", towards Cyprus to help secure the EU's external borders. However, the head of government continues to hold on to his sharp criticism of the Israeli-American attack on Iran.
MADRID.- Just a day after having made the slogan “No to war” his own, the government of Spain announced this morning that it will send its most modern frigate, operated by 200 military personnel, to defend the Mediterranean Sea from Iran’s war actions. The ship Christopher Columbus is already on its way to the coast of the island of Crete, Greece, the eastern tip of Europe. The socialist government yesterday celebrated the staging of Pedro Sanch…
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