Iran conflict 2026: UAV strikes RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus

A file photo showing a Voyager tanker departing RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The single-runway airbase was struck by a UAV on 1 March, which did not cause air operations to be halted. (Crown Copyright)

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the UK base of Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri in Cyprus during the night of 1 March.

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration, which includes RAF Akrotiri among other UK military facilities on the Eastern Mediterranean island, said that there had been a suspected ‘drone' impact at the airbase on the southern tip of Cyprus. While civilian residents have been temporarily relocated off the base, air operations continue.

The origin of the UAV that struck RAF Akrotiri had not been disclosed at the time of publication.

The RAF is understood to have 10 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft located at the base, which are used for both local air defence and the UK's ongoing Operation ‘Shader' mission against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. These were recently augmented by six Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft, which were sent to the island in early February to provide additional emergency air-defence cover. Other UK air assets at the base include Airbus Voyager tanker-transport aircraft and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc MQ-9B Protector RG1 UAVs.

The RAF Regiment provides force protection for the base, with additional ground-based radar and counter-UAV systems having been deployed in recent weeks.

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