Greece dispatched the frigate Elli from the Salamis naval base on the morning of Monday, April 6, sending the Type S ves...

Greece dispatched the frigate Elli from the Salamis naval base on the morning of Monday, April 6, sending the Type S vessel toward Cyprus as part of an ongoing military rotation in the Eastern Mediterranean. Military sources indicate Elli will most likely relieve the frigate Psara, though no official confirmation has been issued yet. The deployment builds on a decision made in early March, when Athens sent two frigates, Kimon and Psara, to Cyprus in response to rising security concerns in the region. Those concerns included a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri and fears of a potential Iranian attack on the island. The Psara carries the "Kentavros" anti-drone system, which Cyprus has expressed strong interest in acquiring. The FDI frigate Kimon, meanwhile, is equipped with Sea Fire radar and 32 Aster 30 missiles, giving the combined Greek naval presence a serious multi-domain capability. Greek Defense Minister noted that the military is continuously evaluating its force posture in the region, signaling that the deployment is not a one-off gesture but part of a sustained commitment to Cypriot security. An official announcement detailing the vessel rotation and operational schedule is expected within days. The Eastern Mediterranean has remained a pressure point through much of 2026, with Greek naval assets playing a consistent role in deterrence alongside allied forces. The rotation of Elli keeps that presence unbroken while fleet commanders balance readiness across the Aegean and beyond. On the diplomatic front, Greek sources confirmed Thursday that any discussion of Ankara's participation in the EU's SAFE defense fund is off the table until Turkey withdraws its standing threat of war against Greece. #Greece #Cyprus #EasternMediterranean