A formerly top secret UK report shows Britain’s territory on Cyprus formed a key part of NATO’s surveillance and nuclear capabilities in the Mediterranean during the Cold War, despite knowing this was “not consistent” with the island’s non-aligned stance.
by Matt Kennard
by Matt Kennard
Part 4 - ‘Nuclear force’
Independent Cyprus’s first president, Archbishop Makarios, was prominent supporter of Non-Aligned Movement during Cold War
But British territories on Cyprus were “of great strategic importance” to NATO
Top secret map shows UK ran “NATO communications station” in Cyprus outside of British base areas
Covert surveillance operations were carried out from British Cyprus “on behalf of NATO”
Targets for Cyprus-based nuclear-capable Vulcan bomber squadrons were coordinated with NATO
UK planners cautioned “it is important to avoid drawing attention to the NATO implications of military activities” on British Cyprus
The report shows that two Vulcan bomber squadrons, referred to as a “nuclear force”, were deployed at RAF Akrotiri.
“The targets for the Cyprus-based Vulcans are coordinated with the US and NATO through CINCSOUTH,” it notes, referring to the commander-in-chief of NATO’s Allied Forces Southern Europe.
The Vulcans make “a valuable contribution to NATO on the Southern Flank”, the report concluded, referring to the Eastern Mediterranean region. “Furthermore the force can make a contribution to NATO even during peacetime by carrying out Maritime reconnaissance.”
“The targets for the Cyprus-based Vulcans are coordinated with the US and NATO through CINCSOUTH,” it notes, referring to the commander-in-chief of NATO’s Allied Forces Southern Europe.
The Vulcans make “a valuable contribution to NATO on the Southern Flank”, the report concluded, referring to the Eastern Mediterranean region. “Furthermore the force can make a contribution to NATO even during peacetime by carrying out Maritime reconnaissance.”
Gaming out where the UK could deploy its military assets should it lose Akrotiri, the study noted that one option was Malta, the tiny island just south of Sicily which achieved independence from Britain in 1964.
But, stated the report, “the Malta Government might be unwilling to accept the permanent stationing of a nuclear force on the island, especially after the lapse of the present Defence Agreement in 1974. Finally the aircraft would be up to 1,000 miles further from their targets.”
This would indicate the nuclear target was the Soviet Union.
But, stated the report, “the Malta Government might be unwilling to accept the permanent stationing of a nuclear force on the island, especially after the lapse of the present Defence Agreement in 1974. Finally the aircraft would be up to 1,000 miles further from their targets.”
This would indicate the nuclear target was the Soviet Union.
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