UK Deploys Warship, Counter-Drone Helicopters to Cyprus Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
In a statement posted on X, Starmer said the move underscores Britain’s commitment to protecting Cyprus and UK personnel stationed there amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that the United Kingdom is deploying military assets, including counter-drone helicopters and the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon, to Cyprus as part of ongoing defensive operations in the region.
In a statement posted on X, Starmer said the move underscores Britain’s commitment to protecting Cyprus and UK personnel stationed there amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” Starmer said, adding that he had spoken with the President of Cyprus to inform him of the deployment.
“I’ve just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region,” he said, stressing that London “will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
The announcement comes as regional tensions continue to intensify following large-scale coordinated military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran.
On Monday, the US military said it had struck more than 1,250 targets across Iran within the first 48 hours of the campaign. According to a fact sheet released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted command-and-control centers, ballistic missile facilities, naval vessels and submarines, as well as anti-ship missile systems.
The figure marked an increase from more than 1,000 targets reportedly hit during the first day of the conflict.
US and Israeli forces launched the coordinated operation on Saturday, conducting extensive strikes across multiple locations in Iran. US officials said the campaign has primarily aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, and military command networks.
Several senior Iranian officials were killed during the initial phase of the strikes, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The rapidly expanding conflict has heightened regional tensions and raised international concerns over the risk of a broader escalation across the Middle East.