A Patriot missile battery is being transferred to Karpathos as part of strengthening the country’s air defense due to the unrest prevailing in the Middle East, according to information from protothema.gr and a decision by the Ministry of National Defence.

The decision was announced as Minister of Defence Nikos Dendias traveled to Cyprus and the joint Greece–Cyprus defense doctrine was activated after two drones were confronted on Monday at the British base in Akrotiri.

In this context, two pairs of F-16 fighter jets are already in Paphos, while the frigates Kimon and Psara are underway, with the Hellenic Navy vessels expected to dock in Cyprus on Wednesday morning.

A video shows the departure of the two Hellenic Navy frigates from the Salamis Naval Base on Monday night.

Alongside Nikos Dendias, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Houpis, is also traveling to Cyprus. As the Minister of National Defence stated yesterday:
“I assured Mr. Palma (Cyprus Minister of Defence) that Greece, throughout the current crisis, will contribute in every possible way to the defense of the Republic of Cyprus, in order to address threats and illegal actions on its territory.”

Operational Significance of the Deployment

The dispatch of the frigates Kimon and Psara, as well as a pair of F-16s to Cyprus following the second drone attack, has a clear operational objective: strengthening the island’s anti-air and counter-drone defense.

Particularly significant is the presence of Psara, which carries the Greek-developed electronic warfare system “Kentavros” for countering unmanned threats, combined with the area air-defense capabilities of Kimon and the aerial coverage provided by the F-16s.

Capabilities of the Frigate Kimon

The frigate Kimon, a frontline FDI HN (Belharra-type) unit of the Hellenic Navy, is the most modern anti-air platform in the Greek fleet. It is equipped with 32 vertical launch cells for Aster 30 missiles, providing long-range area air defense.

It features the Sea Fire AESA radar, capable of simultaneously tracking multiple airborne targets, along with an advanced combat management system. This configuration allows Kimon to function as an air-defense coverage hub over a wide radius, not only for the ship itself but also for the broader operational area.

Key systems include:

• Vertical launchers for Aster 30 long-range surface-to-air missiles
• AESA Sea Fire radar
• SETIS combat management system
• Anti-air and anti-submarine weapons, plus a 76mm naval gun

This platform is designed to provide air-defense coverage across a wide area, directly linked to the mission of reinforcing air defense in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Frigate Psara and the “Kentavros” System

The frigate Psara (MEKO 200HN class) carries ESSM medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a Phalanx CIWS system for close-in protection, and integrated surveillance radars.

Of particular importance is the Greek-developed electronic warfare system “Kentavros,” integrated into Hellenic Navy units.

“Kentavros,” developed by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, is a soft-kill jamming system designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It detects and jams drone communication and guidance signals, disrupting their operation without the use of kinetic firepower.

In an environment where unmanned attacks are a key feature of modern conflicts, the presence of this system carries increased operational importance.

System features:

• Electronic warfare system against UAVs
• Detects, jams, and neutralizes hostile drones via electronic interference
• Already operationally tested on Hellenic Navy surface units

Its presence is particularly significant in light of drone attacks, as it offers immediate capability against low-cost, low-signature threats that characterize modern warfare.

The Role of the F-16 Viper

The two deployed pairs of F-16s are the Viper (Block 72) configuration, the most modern version in the Hellenic Air Force.

F-16 Vipers are equipped with the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, offering significantly enhanced detection and tracking capabilities compared to older versions. The system enables simultaneous engagement of multiple aerial threats and improved situational awareness.

They are certified to use AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles and AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles, and can conduct interception missions and Combat Air Patrol (CAP).

Their presence adds a mobile and flexible dimension to air defense, operating complementarily with naval units and creating an additional layer of aerial coverage.