The Royal Navy has deployed Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, enhancing aerial defenses amid rising regional tensions. A Merlin Mk2 helicopter configured for airborne surveillance and control (ASaC), operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron, departed Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose on March 7 and arrived at the base on March 9. Accompanied by aircrew and engineers, the aircraft strengthens detection of aerial threats.
Captain James Hall, commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, stated the deployment responded rapidly to security needs. “We have activated one of our ASaC aircraft to deploy immediately to provide an additional layer of defence for our forces at Akrotiri,” he said. The squadron previously supported operations in the Red Sea during HMS Prince of Wales transits under Operation Highmast.
Complementing the Merlin, two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron arrived on March 7 aboard an RAF C-17 from RNAS Yeovilton. Armed with Thales Martlet missiles via weapon wings, they target uncrewed aerial systems. A third Wildcat joined on March 9. The Ministry of Defence notes the Wildcat-Martlet pairing has destroyed drones on test ranges.
These assets layer protection with existing Eurofighter Typhoons and Lockheed Martin F-35B aircraft at Akrotiri, which engaged an Iranian-launched drone on March 7. Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, equipped with Sea Viper missiles, is due in the eastern Mediterranean later this week to counter aircraft and missile threats.