Britain has deployed Six Royal AirForce Eurofighter Typhoon interceptor jets to Akrotiri in Cyprus, on Thursday, to guard against potent...
Britain has deployed Six Royal AirForce Eurofighter Typhoon interceptor jets to Akrotiri in Cyprus, on Thursday, to guard against potential retaliation by the Syrian Assad regime in the event of a airstrikes against Syria.
A UK defence ministry press release stated this as a precautionary measure, specifically aimed at protecting UK interests and the defence of Sovereign Base Areas. 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.
Cyprus is a mere 100 km from the Syrian coast and the city of Latakia, Assad’s hometown and recently re-captured by government forces.
The Typhoons have been sent out in a defensive counter air (DCA) role, the RAF said, and are fitted with advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), advanced short range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM), and a Mauser cannon for close combat.
Cyprus is an extremely busy Permanent Joint Operating Base with RAF personnel at Akrotiri. It supports ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as support for the Sovereign Base area on the Island. The RAF uses RAF Akrotiri as a forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and also for Fast Jet Weapons Training.
