"Israeli F-35s exercise with Cypriot Air Defence" Topic

Given all the current Turkish sabre rattling in the region including calls for an independent Turkish Cypriot state, exercises between Israeli F-35 stealth fighters and Cypriot air defence units are quite a big statement:

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To be honest the Cypriot air defence system probably wouldn't locate or be able to target an F-35 unless the F-35 was festooned in radar reflectors.

Cypriots were meant to get S300s in 1990s but these were transferred to Greece after massive Turkish uproar – the Greeks still use them in a unit located on Crete.

Currently Cypriot air defence includes ancient Italian Aspide SAMs based on AIM-7 Sparrow as well as Russian Buk and Tors, both supposedly advanced but both easy prey for Turkish drones over Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The remainder of the air defence force are ageing Swiss radar guided Oerlikon 35mm and even older Serbian manually targeted Zastava M55A3 20mm guns.

I suspect in a real war the Cypriot air defence system would be quickly neutralised by the Turks.

But its clear Israel supports Cyprus.

It would be interesting to see the response of British troops based on the island if the Turks attacked now.

Given the current rapidly expanding Turkish adventurism across the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus I'd suggest its very wise for the Greek Cypriots to be exercising, training and preparing for war and really interesting that the Israelis are actively working with them.

Well the Cypriots know the IDF is very effective. And the Turks may think twice about starting a war on Cyprus as in '74. The Turks occupy a portion of the island claiming it for their own. IIRC the UN still has forces there manning the line between the two, to this day.

However, the IDF is a better deterrent than the UN …

However, the IDF is a better deterrent than the UN …

Indeed! Rattling a sabre is better than swinging one!