British prime minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, March 3, the United Kingdom (UK) is deploying helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to Cyprus after Iranian drone attacked the British airbase.
Starmer made the announcement after a conversation with Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides.
Starmer added that the UK would also deploy the HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, to the eastern mediterranean.
The prime minister’s announcement comes a day after a suspected Iranian drone attacked the British airbase in Cyprus, but the ministry of defence said the damage was minimal.
Monday’s attack happened after Starmer said the UK would help Washington in the war against Iran.
The UK had initially denied access over fears that it would violate international law.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” Starmer said.
“We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
According to the British defence ministry, the HMS Dragon, which is crewed by more than 200 people, is one of the most capable air defence warships in the world and could launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds.
As tensions spread across the middle east as a result of the ongoing conflict between the U.S, Israel and Iran, British forces in Iraq said they have taken down an unspecified number of drones believed to be heading towards coalition bases in the country.
Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron said France would also deploy its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean.
Macron said the Charles de Gaulle would be escorted by its air wing and frigates, noting that France would stand by its allies.
“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” he said, adding that Cyprus and France recently signed a strategic partnership agreement.
Iran has warned of a wider escalation of the conflict it is embroiled in with Israel and the U.S if countries choose to stay passive.
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