Newsroom / CNA
The U.K.–Turkey defense agreement announced last month, which includes the sale of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets and broader defense cooperation between the two countries, has drawn strong reactions from the Cypriot community in Britain.
In a letter to the U.K. defense minister, the Board of British Cypriots expressed “serious concerns” about the political, moral, and military implications of the deal, citing Turkey’s domestic and foreign policies.
The group is seeking clarification on whether the British government has received written, binding assurances from Ankara that the fighter jets will not be used against the U.K.’s allies, including Greece and Cyprus.
The letter also raises concerns about potential technology transfers that could bolster Turkey’s next-generation fighter jet programs, warning that such developments could disrupt the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Cyprus is singled out in the letter, with the Board noting that 37% of the island has been under Turkish occupation since 1974. It also recalls that the Turkish invasion relied heavily on air power, making the expansion of Turkey’s air capabilities without guarantees “extremely worrying.”
The Board calls on the U.K. government to consider the risks, clarify the terms of the agreement, and explain how it will ensure that defense cooperation with Ankara does not undermine the security of Cyprus, Greece, or other allies.
The Board of British Cypriots promotes Cypriot interests in London’s decision-making circles and works to strengthen bilateral relations. It has previously sent similar letters to senior British officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, as well as to international figures such as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
