Greek military continues presence in Cyprus through rotating naval and air assets

The Greek government is maintaining a sustained military presence in Cyprus due to ongoing instability in the Middle East. According to Greek defense officials, including Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, these forces will remain stationed on the island for as long as deemed necessary. The deployment is undergoing a routine rotation process to ensure operational continuity. Four F-16 fighter jets previously based at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos have already been replaced by aircraft and personnel from the Araxos and Larissa air bases. Furthermore, the frigates Kimon and Psara are scheduled to be replaced by other warships within the coming week. The replacement vessels are expected to include the frigate Elli, commissioned in 1982 and modernized in 2009 with the Sea Sparrow missile system, with the potential addition of another unit equipped with missile systems. Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas described these deployments as a protective measure for the island during a period of regional tension.