By George Psyllides
THE GREEK air force is fully capable of covering Cyprus in event of war, Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos has said.
He was speaking during a visit to the Flight Training Squadron of the Greek air force, on which he was accompanied by Cypriot Defence Minister Socratis Hasikos.
“Cyprus coverage has also been assured with the acquisition of the new F-16 fighters that have been chosen by the Greek air force,” said Tsohatzopoulos.
Many analysts had expressed concern at the Defence Ministry’s choice of the F-16 fighter ahead of the F-15, which has a longer range and carries more weapon systems, suggesting the decision undermined Greece’s commitment and ability to defend Cyprus.
But while agreeing that the F-15 did have longer range, defence analyst Aristos Aristotelous yesterday told the Cyprus Mailthe uncertain future of the F-15 had to be taken into account, saying the US Government was considering ceasing its production.
Aristotelous, who is head of the Cyprus Centre of Strategic Studies, also said the F-15’s instruments were not as advanced as the F-16’s, which would inevitably be a disadvantage.
“Distance will always be a big problem, a problem which cannot be solved completely,” said Aristotelous.
The only way to address the problem would be through the reinforcement of the island’s air-defence, together with the permanent stationing of Greek fighters in Paphos — though he pointed out the Paphos air base was in no way ready to accommodate fighter planes.
Tsohatzopoulos said on Sunday the decision to station a permanent force of Greek planes in Cyprus lay with the Cyprus government, though it would operate within the framework of the common defence policy with Greece.
But Aristotelous had a warning for politicians prone to making exaggerated commitments:
“Do not forget the statements of former Greek Defence Minister Yerasimos Arsenis, who said the people of Cyprus would see Greek fighter planes in the Cyprus skies very often — we currently see them twice a year — and Clerides’ statement that he would not send Cypriots to battle without air coverage — some time before the S-300 fiasco.”
Clerides ordered the S-300 anti-aircraft batteries to Crete last December in the face of overwhelming international pressure and Turkish threats to prevent their arrival in Cyprus. The long-range Russian-made missiles had been due for deployment around Paphos to protect the air base there.
