The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British forces are responding to what it described as a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
In a statement issued shortly after midnight local time, an MOD spokesperson said: “Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.”
The spokesperson added: “Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people. This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”
The confirmation follows earlier unverified reports circulating online claiming an explosion or impact at the UK’s Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus.
It is understood that there have been no casualties as a result of the incident.
RAF Akrotiri is located within the Western Sovereign Base Area and serves as a key hub for UK air operations in the Middle East. The UK regularly reviews the protection posture of its overseas bases, including in Cyprus, in light of regional threats.
In recent weeks, additional defensive capabilities have been positioned at British bases on the island as part of ongoing efforts to support security and stability in the region. These measures are focused on detecting and countering airborne threats and include radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 aircraft and ground-based air defence assets.
The situation remains ongoing. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available. We also don’t have confirmation of where the drone originated, so have avoided speculation as to origins at this stage.
Hopefully nothing expensive was lost but this does give yet another excuse for Starmer to get off his backside and authorise an appropriate response, like finish off what’s left of the Iranian navy/air force
In the words of Rainier Wolfcastle “Up and at them!”
So Sky Sabre not in place! complacency, incompetence – wtf. Bring back the Typhoons until the base is properly protected.
What a fascinating modern world we live in.
Bet the DIP gets rewritten now and waits another few months to find money for new GBAD.
Last week we went past the anniversary of Starmer’s announcement that in 2027/28 £6bn will be taken from Foreign Aid budget and given to the MOD (although he deliberately miscalculated and called it £13.4bn). This flagship increase of peanuts, was announced 26 months in advance and continually referred to in the past tense by the likes of Healey as though they had already funded it.
How long will it take the government to reach a realisation that it’s too little too late? That the time to make the increase was five or ten years ago, and not to delay it until 60% of the way through this parliament?
Unbelievable really.
Hit by a low tech drone.
If there ever was a wake-up call to the ever useless Starmer & Reeves combo this is it.
It shows how vulnerable UK bases are and that there is no last line of defence.
The usual problem with these kind of instances is that they embolden aggressors and arm them with the possibility of success.
Before this there would have been a chance of an opponent thinking that there was high powered EW or undeclared point defence. Not now – that is all in the open.
beggars belief that with the likely threat assessments that nothing has been done bar a few gate guards! Stache needs to start shouting at people to get protection in place
Boris Johnson was in charge 4 years ago when RU cruise and ballistic missiles hammered Ukr military and civilian infrastructure.
Patriot should have been ordered that day when it was apparent we are wide open
I accept that counter small drone systems need time, but Sky Sabre was in place.
Starmer has had two years to see reports that even the radar on Sampt is reportedly not upto the job of dealing with the adaptations Ru has made to BM.
Meanwhile Germany orders Arrow 3, more IRIS systems, already has Patriot.
Where is the resistance coming from?
Army who fear further cuts or RAF seniors who believe their fighter priority must be protected.
Meanwhile we give Pakistani money for climate change projects and £97m to the Jihadi Jolani.
If there are causalities down the line, I hope families sue the Govt.
I mean sky sabre was in service 4 years ago but order levels have been at a snails pace.
Remember we joined Sky shield the same day as Germany, lots of UK announcements along with two other air defence and missile programs we joined. The last government was great at joining stuff just never bought anything.