The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) has added the Israeli-made Iron Dome air defense system to its arsenal. According to Sigma TV, the first battery of the system has already been deployed and is now operational.

This move has drawn strong criticism from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, Secretary General of the ruling National Unity Party in the TRNC, described the effort as “a futile attempt against Türkiye’s regional power.”

Southern Cyprus plans to further enhance its air defense capabilities by adding systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. Meanwhile, Greece has also expressed its intention to purchase Iron Dome systems from Israel, aiming to integrate them into a unified defense shield extending from Cyprus to Crete and across the Aegean Sea.

Reports suggest that the decision to acquire the Iron Dome was driven by the need to replace outdated Russian-made TOR and BUK missile systems, which faced sanctions due to Russia’s geopolitical actions.

Hasipoğlu stated that these actions reveal the true intentions of the GCASC in Cyprus, adding, “These armament efforts are meaningless against Türkiye’s regional strength and the TRNC’s commitment to defending its rights.”