Greece remains steadily by Cyprus‘ side throughout the crisis in the Middle East, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias assured his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas during their Tuesday meeting in Athens.In this context, both the frigates “Psara” and “Kimon” as well as the four F-16s will steadily strengthen the island’s defensive armor. Additionally, the two ministers discussed the Republic of Cyprus’ interest in purchasing the Greek anti-drone system “Centaurus”. These are four advanced systems manufactured by Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) and, according to sources, will be funded through the European defense program SAFE.
The anti-drone “Centaurus” systems have been successfully tested by the Greek Navy in the Red Sea against the Houthis, and due to the prolonged crisis in the region, their delivery to Cyprus is scheduled to occur within a short timeframe.Cyprus’ defensive strengthening continues to provoke reactions from Turkish officials who connect its recent defensive moves with a plan to reshape Mediterranean power dynamics, taking advantage of the regional escalation.
Michalis Stavrinos: The fact that Greece rushed to stand by Cyprus simultaneously overturned Turkey’s plans
Ambassador emeritus Michalis Stavrinos conveys to parapolitika.gr the situation from Nicosia, as it develops on the island and provokes Turkey’s reactions.
According to Mr. Stavrinos, “the developments in the region, while occurring within a framework of dramatic and tragic conflicts, have, as happens in every war and every misfortune, their positive side. Through all this, Cyprus’ strategic importance for the entire Western world emerged, particularly for Americans and Israelis, while related alliances under formation are simultaneously strengthened. The fact that Greece rushed to support and stand by Cyprus simultaneously overturned Turkey’s plans. Given that it was proven that neither Americans nor Israelis can prevent all strikes from missiles or drones, the effectiveness of the ‘Centaurus’ system is extremely important for Cyprus’ defense, but also for fortification that will deter potential Turkish attempts, which immediately rushed after Greece to send some aircraft to the Occupied territories”.
One of Turkey’s F-16 aircraft stationed at the illegal Tymbou airport conducted a flight over Nicosia on Tuesday, causing intense concern and worry.
“Its reactions are spasmodic”
As Mr. Stavrinos argues, these Turkish moves show that it is “losing the game,” while he explains that “where it used to say that anything in the Eastern Mediterranean, around and above Cyprus, ‘cannot happen without my approval,’ it saw everything happening with itself being excluded. The fact that American ships arrived, Italian, British, and all these without Turkey being consulted, along with the NOTAM requested by Americans and issued by Cyprus at the northernmost point of Cyprus FIR – meaning almost 20 kilometers from Turkish shores – demonstrates that all its plans for Blue Homeland and sovereignty in the Eastern Mediterranean are going awry. Therefore, its reactions are spasmodic and it’s trying, in popular terms, ‘to grasp at straws’ and sends these aircraft simply to declare presence and save the so-called ‘honor of arms'”.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler was in London on Tuesday to discuss with his British counterpart John Healey the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom. It should be noted that Turkey signed an agreement worth 8 billion pounds last October for purchasing 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK, while Ankara plans to acquire another 12 used ones from Qatar, as well as 12 more from Oman. The first aircraft from the UK is expected to be delivered to Turkey in 2030.
