Turkey Mulls Deployment of F-16 Jets to Northern Cyprus After Drone Attack

Turkey is considering deploying F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus as part of measures to strengthen security on the island following a recent drone strike, a source in the Turkish defence ministry has said.

The source said authorities in Turkey are undertaking phased planning to safeguard the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a self-declared state recognised only by Ankara. According to the official, the potential deployment of F‑16 Fighting Falcon aircraft is among the security options currently under consideration.

The move comes days after a drone struck a British military facility on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, raising concerns about the spillover of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Cypriot authorities said the drone was likely launched by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah from Lebanon rather than directly from Iran. The incident occurred after retaliatory exchanges linked to the recent strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

Following the attack, several European nations pledged support to Cyprus, dispatching air defence systems and other military assets to help bolster the island’s security.

Cyprus is also a member of the European Union and currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency.

Amid the heightened tensions, Turkey’s Defence Minister, Yaser Guler, downplayed fears of a possible confrontation between Ankara and Israel. Speaking in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Posta, he said the chances of direct conflict between the two countries remain “very low.”

He acknowledged that relations between Turkey and Israel have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over issues including the Gaza war and Israel’s actions in Syria.

However, he noted that communication channels have been established to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of unintended escalation.

Guler also reiterated Ankara’s call to be reinstated in the F‑35 Lightning II fighter jet programme, arguing that Turkey’s participation would help strengthen ties with the United States and enhance the collective security of the NATO alliance.

The United States removed Turkey from the programme after Ankara acquired the S‑400 Triumph missile system from Russia, citing concerns that the defence system could compromise the stealth capabilities of the F-35. Washington has insisted that Turkey must abandon the system before any reconsideration of its participation in the programme.