RAF Akrotiri
Coverage of RAF Akrotiri in the Nexus archive.
- Man arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a UK military base for Iran
A UK-Azerbaijani man was arrested in Cyprus for spying on a UK military base for Iran, accused of sharing information with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. British police seek his extradition under the National Security Act.
- Britain was told to rearm. A year later, there's no sign of the cash - and it's having an impact
Britain was advised to rearm but has not allocated the necessary funds a year later, leading to operational impacts. The UK has deployed additional defensive capabilities to Cyprus, including F-35 jets, radar systems, counter-drone systems, and ground-based air defence, along with 500 extra personnel.
- UK Typhoon jets fitted with bargain-bin drone busters for Middle East sorties
The UK has deployed low-cost anti-drone rockets to the Middle East, which will be fitted to British Typhoon jets. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) has already seen operational use in the Middle East with No. 9 Squadron RAF. The system is said to cost $30,000 to $40,000, making it much less expensive than a typical air-to-air missile.
- European Union ramps up crisis testing, convinced that Trump’s security priorities lie elsewhere
The European Union is increasing crisis preparedness tests, citing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting security priorities. EU leaders will develop an operational plan in Cyprus and conduct exercises to simulate collective aid under Article 42.7 in response to potential aggression, such as a Russian invasion.