Turkey considering deployment of F-16s to Cyprus, ministry source says

Mar 7, 2026

An F-16 aircraft of the Turkish Stars aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force performs during Teknofest airshow over the city's new airport under construction in Istanbul, Turkey September 20, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal/File Photo — Osman Orsal

ANKARA, March 7 (Reuters) - Turkey is considering the deployment of F-16 aircraft to Cyprus, a Turkish defence ministry source said on Saturday.

The person said such a move was one of the steps being considered amid the phased planning underway to ensure the security of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island, as conflict spreads in the region.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

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