UK defence minister arrives in Cyprus.

Britain’s defence secretary, John Healey, arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, according to a defence source, days after a drone targeted a British air base on the island.

The visit follows an attack on the runway of the Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri on Monday, where an Iranian-made drone struck the facility.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would deploy helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and a naval warship, HMS Dragon, to Cyprus as part of what he described as ongoing defensive operations in the region.

HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air-defence destroyers. It is equipped with the Sea Viper missile system, which can launch eight missiles in less than 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles at the same time, according to Britain’s defence ministry.

The helicopters being deployed are Wildcat aircraft armed with Martlet missiles designed to intercept and destroy drones.

On Wednesday, Cyprus’s High Commissioner to the UK, Kyriacos Kouros, said many Cypriots were disappointed with the level of information shared with residents after the strike on RAF Akrotiri and the interception of additional drones.

Speaking on the Newsnight programme, he said people felt concerned and had expected clearer communication following the incident.

Starmer had initially ruled out any involvement in the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, but later approved a request from United States authorities to use two British military bases for what was described as a specific and limited defensive purpose.

The facilities are located in Gloucestershire and at the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Starmer has also stated that RAF Akrotiri is not being used by US bombers.

British officials said Monday’s drone strike caused only minor damage and no injuries. As a precaution, families of service personnel stationed at the base have been temporarily relocated.