Typhoon jets sent to Cyprus to guard against possible Syrian retaliation

RAF confirms fighters’ presence is ‘precautionary measure’ against any potential attacks on bases if intervention is agreed

The UK is sending six of the RAF’s Typhoon fast jets to Cyprus to defend the strategically important bases on the island from potential retaliatory attacks from the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the fighters were flying to the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, ahead of any possible military action against Syria in the coming days.

The MoD stressed the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Assad’s regime, but were there as a “precautionary measure”.

The UK has two sovereign base areas on the former British colony – at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The aircraft will be based at the airport in Akrotiri, which has been a key staging post for military flights to and from Afghanistan.

The bases are also home to listening and surveillance stations that provide the British and US militaries, and western intelligence services, with vital information about what is going on across the Middle East.

Military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria’s Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.

An RAF spokesman said: “We can confirm that as part of ongoing contingency planning, six RAF Typhoon interceptor fast jets are deploying this morning to Akrotiri in Cyprus. This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our sovereign base areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region.

“This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The PM has made clear no decision has been taken on our response and the government has said that there will be a Commons vote before direct military involvement”.

The MoD said the deployment was meant to deter and protect against attack from the air, and that the Typhoons would be armed with advanced medium range air-to-air missile (Amraam), the advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Asraam) and a Mauser cannon.

The RAF’s four frontline Typhoon aquadrons are based at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, and RAF Leuchars, in Fife, and each squadron operates up to 15 aircraft.

Prof Michael Clarke, director general of the defence thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, said there was a threat to British interests in Cyprus whether or not it was used to launch strikes on Syria, so sensible measures would be in place to defend it.

“If the Syrians wanted to retaliate they would retaliate against British bases whether or not it had been used,” he said.

“The safety of Cyprus is not an issue here but you would take sensible actions to keep Cyprus properly defended. Defending Cyprus is not a problem but there will be measures taken to be on alert.”

The MoD said there are currently around 2,500 military and UK civilian personnel serving on the bases accompanied by around 3,000 family members.

Two infantry battalions serve there – one providing security to …read more