Greece‘s plans to install an anti-missile defense system, similar to Israel’s “Iron Dome,” have drawn the attention of Turkish media, with several outlets in the neighboring country reporting Cyprus is also ready to set up a similar defensive anti-missile “umbrella.”
The newspaper “Milliyet” notes that Cyprus has agreed to procure the Israeli Iron Dome, reporting that the first batch has already arrived in “Southern Cyprus,” as it calls the Cypriot Republic.
According to Turkish correspondent for Skai, Manolis Kostidis, the Turkish outlet reports that the first shipment of components for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system has arrived in “Southern Cyprus,” and the Greek Cypriot military has reportedly activated the delivered system. The government of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC) has criticized the move, stating that “the Greek Cypriot side is escalating tensions.”
Milliyet highlights Cyprus’s plans to upgrade its tank fleet by procuring a batch of more modern tanks, replacing the older Russian T-80 ones, while also waiting for the arrival of new French attack helicopters.
Two other Turkish media outlets, the newspaper “Sozcu” and “GazeteDuvar” also report on the Iron Dome system and the coordinated military buildup by both Greece and the Cypriot Republic.
Sozcu reports: “Greece and ‘Southern Cyprus’ are arming the Aegean and the Mediterranean with Israel’s Iron Dome. ‘Southern Cyprus’ (Republic of Cyprus) has begun installing the Iron Dome system it purchased from Israel on the island. Furthermore, it is noted that the system will be fully compatible with the Iron Dome that Greece is simultaneously developing in collaboration with the Israelis.”
Similarly, GazeteDuvar writes: “Israel’s defense system, Iron Dome, is being installed in ‘Southern Cyprus.’ Sigma TV, broadcasting in Cyprus, claimed that the first components of the Israeli-made air defense system, similar to the Iron Dome, have been deployed in ‘Southern Cyprus.’”
In mid-November, the Reuters news agency reported that Greece was in talks with Israel to develop an anti-aircraft and missile defense dome (similar to the Israeli-made Iron Dome), citing sources from the Greek defense ministry.
“The plan is to create a multi-layer anti-aircraft and anti-drone system,” according to a source knowledgeable with the issue, Reuters noted. “We are in discussions with Israel,” the source had said.
The air defenses are part of Athens’ 10-year military purchasing plan that includes acquiring up to 40 new US-made F-35 fighter jets and drones from the United States, along with four French-made Belharra frigates and Rafale fighter planes, also from France.
