Western countries have increased their military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean amid the escalation of the war with Iran, with the main focus being the defense of Cyprus after an Iranian-made drone struck a British military base on the island on March 2, summarizes "Reuters"
The military buildup includes forces from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey.
The largest military force in the region remains the American. The largest US aircraft carrier - "Gerald Ford" - docked at the Souda Bay base on the Greek island of Crete two weeks ago, then continued to the eastern Mediterranean, accompanied by warships armed with missiles.
The UK has sent Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone systems. London has also deployed additional F-35B fighter jets to its base in Cyprus, where Typhoon FGR4 aircraft are already based. The destroyer HMS Dragon is expected to join the region.
France has sent its aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" accompanied by about a dozen warships. The ship was off Crete and was heading towards Cyprus, while a French frigate has already docked at the Souda base.
Germany also sent the frigate "Nordhein-Westfalen", which arrived in the Cyprus area on March 8.
Greece deployed its new frigate "Kimon" and the frigate "Psara", equipped with the Centauros anti-drone system. Athens also sent four F-16 Viper fighter jets to western Cyprus, as well as a Patriot air defense system to the island of Karpathos to protect the area around eastern Crete.
Italy deployed the frigate "Mertinenno" as part of a coordinated mission with European Union allies. The ship was in Souda Bay and is expected to head for Cyprus.
Spain has sent one of its most modern frigates, the "Cristóbal Colón", which has also docked in Souda Bay.
The Netherlands is preparing to send the air defense frigate "Evertsen".
For its part, Turkey has deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to the northern part of Cyprus - in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Ankara.