United Kingdom deploys F-35B fighter jets to Akrotiri air base in Cyprus

The United Kingdom has deployed six fifth-generation F-35B fighter jets from RAF Marham to its sovereign military base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The deployment took place amid growing concerns over a possible escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran.

The aircraft arrived on Friday and, according to the British side, are intended to protect the Akrotiri base and British territories in the region in the event of a deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.

The new F-35B jets will operate alongside Typhoon fighter aircraft already stationed in Cyprus. These aircraft regularly conduct combat missions over Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Shader, aimed at combating the remnants of the Islamic State group.

Previously, last month, the United Kingdom also deployed four Typhoon fighter jets from the joint UK-Qatar No. 12 Squadron to Qatar, at the request of the country’s authorities, who cited increasing regional instability.