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Royal Marines air defence experts play crucial role in Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean operations
15 May 2026
At the heart of the UK’s efforts to defend Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean are specialists in air defence from the Royal Marines.
The Air Defence Troop are experts from the UK Commando Force who form part of the protective shield across the region that also includes Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
The commandos wield Martlet missile systems and can protect against a range of aerial threats, including missiles and drones, and act as a strong deterrence as the UK works to protect the local populace and its sovereign base, RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
“The Royal Marines Air Defence Troop plays a critical role in protecting the UK’s Sovereign Bases in Cyprus and contributing to wider regional security,” said Captain Smith, officer in command of the Air Defence Troop.
“Their ability to counter evolving aerial threats, combined with rapid deployment from the Arctic to the Eastern Mediterranean, highlights the versatility and readiness of the Commando Force in support of UK strategic objectives.”
The Air Defence Troop were deployed to Norway as part of NATO’s large-scale operations in the Arctic when the crisis across the latest Middle East began in March.
Within 48 hours they were withdrawn from Norway and redeployed into the operational area in the Eastern Med and have remained there ever since, continually monitoring and on-station ready to react against threats.
The ability of the Air Defence Troop to rapidly switch from the extreme cold weather operations in Norway to the Mediterranean is testament to the capacity of the Royal Marines and UK Commando Force to react quickly to world events.
The Commandos are an invaluable UK asset able to be deployed at a moment’s notice but also to any extreme of environment, shown here by switching the Arctic for Mediterranean at short notice.
While the Air Defence Troop remain in operational theatre, Royal Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando are being held at high readiness to deploy to protect British citizens overseas in the case of an emerging crisis.
Members of Plymouth-based 42 Commando are also ready to provide specialist maritime operations capabilities if required.
The unit is home to specialist teams that provide the UK with a flexible, rapidly deployable capability able to protect Royal Navy vessels, reassure UK shipping and conduct boarding operations when required.
These commandos have recently been undertaking intensive operational training in the UK to ensure they are ready to deploy if the UK Government requires.
“We are incredibly proud of the important role the UK Commando Force Air Defence Troop are playing in the defence of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Brigadier Jaimie Norman, Commander of the UK Commando Force.
“That they deployed at such short notice from warfighting mission rehearsals in the bitter cold of the Arctic is testament to their professionalism and the agility of the Commando Force.
“This deployment is just one example of how the Commando Force and the wider Royal Navy is responding to global instability and threats to both UK’s interests and our partners.”