France will deploy anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus, along with a frigate, to strengthen the island’s defence capabilities following recent developments, the Cyprus News Agency has learned.

According to CNA sources, President Nikos Christodoulides was informed of the decision early on Tuesday by his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders held two telephone conversations on Monday, during which Christodoulides conveyed a relevant request.

Macron informed the Cypriot president that France will send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to the island, as well as one frigate, with a second frigate to follow in the near future.

Christodoulides also requested that Germany deploy a frigate to Cyprus during a telephone conversation on Monday with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz responded positively, and a formal decision by the German government is expected soon.

The developments follow an incident shortly after midnight on Monday, when a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle struck within the military facilities of the British Bases at Akrotiri, causing minor damage at RAF Akrotiri in the Limassol district.