Page 3 | Macron sends ships to defend British bases

HappyFace2025 · 2026-03-03T13:46:06+00:00

So we are reliant on our nearest European neighbour to defend our bases in Cyprus 🤔

KatiePricesKnickers · 05/03/2026 11:48

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 11:30

I’m not particularly worried about anything but in no way would I want the British to be supporting aggression, the bombing of school children or the murder or removal of other countries leaders. Trump and Netanyahu do NOT have my support and are both dangerous, immoral aggressors.

You say that as if the bombing of civilians is deliberate.
It invariably never is, with one caveat.
The only people who do set out to murder civilians are the radical Islamists.

EasternStandard · 05/03/2026 11:41

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 11:30

I’m not particularly worried about anything but in no way would I want the British to be supporting aggression, the bombing of school children or the murder or removal of other countries leaders. Trump and Netanyahu do NOT have my support and are both dangerous, immoral aggressors.

What do you think the Iranian people should do?

tutugogo · 05/03/2026 11:30

Anyone with access to a map can see that a French ship based in Toulon will reach Cyprus before a ship based in Portsmouth even if it were possible to leave immediately. In reality they know that this is likely to take some time to resolve so they are stocking the ship and preparing for a longer mission knowing that a Greek ship is already in the region and the French arriving soon. This will not be a quick operation, alas. Better to send a fully stocked and equipped ship. The helicopters are travelling separately and will be there sooner (I presume getting a lift in an air freighter as it a lot of hops to Cyprus by helicopter!)

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 11:30

I’m not particularly worried about anything but in no way would I want the British to be supporting aggression, the bombing of school children or the murder or removal of other countries leaders. Trump and Netanyahu do NOT have my support and are both dangerous, immoral aggressors.

notimagain · 05/03/2026 11:26

Binding · 05/03/2026 10:52

Isn't this the point of alliances? We run the base, some of our European allies help to defend it. They're doing it because it's in their interests to have the base there, not for fun or to be nice.

And if what they're offering is considered adequate our resources and be used elsewhere.

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I'm genuinely struggling to think of a time when the two Sovereign bases got used (certainly to any significant amount) by our European allies...

I may be missrembering Even when the Lebanon/Beirut unpleasantness was in full swing I don't recall it being used by the French, and they were heavily involved...

FWIW I'm more exposed to the French MSM than the UK and the French take on this has been very much about assisting Cyprus and having assets in position in case French expats need extracting from the region, not about assisting the Brits or specifically protecting an allied airbase.

I think the idea that the French are putting assets in place to protect UK assets is mainly being floated by those wishing to stir up debate.

I'm sure Akrotiri is happy to take any cover tjat can be provided, but President Macron hasn't deployed assets primarily to protect the base...

EasternStandard · 05/03/2026 11:26

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 11:17

Sorry it’s a typo claNNing.

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Who are you worried about seeing the British clanning up to defend their case?

The IRGC?

Everyone else is against them on this.

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 11:17

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 09:08

What do you mean by the British clamming up?

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Sorry it’s a typo claNNing.

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 11:14

Binding · 05/03/2026 10:52

Isn't this the point of alliances? We run the base, some of our European allies help to defend it. They're doing it because it's in their interests to have the base there, not for fun or to be nice.

And if what they're offering is considered adequate our resources and be used elsewhere.

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I guess it is partly the point of alliances, yes. Though we are sending the HMS Dragon there next week

sashaski · 05/03/2026 11:07

We need to stop the benefits culture and invest in defence

EasternStandard · 05/03/2026 10:58

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 10:44

"Help from NATO"

wot, like the US in 2001 you mean ? The only country to have ever invoked article 5

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Hopefully your wot version will only ever be an mn post.

Binding · 05/03/2026 10:52

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 14:47

Tut, we need to stop dithering and get a warship there - apparently HMS Duncan, the most likely choice, will take about a week to arrive if it leaves today.

Anyway, thanks Macron. He is sending French ships and planes to defend RAF Akrotiri from Iranian attacks.

Greece dispatched four F-16 fighter jets to the island on Monday. Two frigates, one equipped with its anti-drone Centauros jamming system, were also sailing to Cyprus.

Edited

Isn't this the point of alliances? We run the base, some of our European allies help to defend it. They're doing it because it's in their interests to have the base there, not for fun or to be nice.

And if what they're offering is considered adequate our resources and be used elsewhere.

Binding · 05/03/2026 10:50

Pineneedlesincarpet · 05/03/2026 08:07

But this is the defence of our own base?

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Yes, we're the ones with the important base in the region. I don't think it's unreasonable that those who may wish to benefit from that help to defend it.

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 10:44

HappyFace2025 · 05/03/2026 09:00

'As far as I'm concerned the Spanish are the impressive ones'
Let's hope Spain doesn't need help from the EU or NATO in the future then as people have long memories.

"Help from NATO"

wot, like the US in 2001 you mean ? The only country to have ever invoked article 5

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 10:41

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 05:35

Apparently the HMS Dragon isn’t even leaving until next week and will then take a fortnight to get to Cyprus 🤦‍♀️

Edited as thought it was HMS Duncan but just read it’s HMS Dragon.

Edited

Alternatively the press are just reporting what the MoD want reported. I take it that even somewhere as backward as Iran* can rustle up someone who can read English

*That's a "joke".

sittingonabeach · 05/03/2026 10:29

Where are the ships stationed?

Binding · 05/03/2026 10:01

drivinmecrazy · 03/03/2026 15:45

I think it might be to make a point that we have other allies even without US.
obviously we might need American force at some point in the future, but right now I think it’s a strong message to send that we do have European allies willing to help in our defence.
this war is so much bigger than Iran.
it’s about Israel posturing that America has their back. Neither are states that, currently, we should look toward for any moral piety.

This is how I took it. Eurpoe taking care of business.

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 09:08

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 08:58

Because the French piling in with Trump doesn’t have the same punch as the British clamming up. The French are part of the EU and have countries like Spain etc pulling on the brakes behind. It is easier for them to have their hands tied by circumstance.

What do you mean by the British clamming up?

notimagain · 05/03/2026 09:05

I'm desperately trying not stir up too much controversy this AM,.honest, but I think the thread title is slightly misleading.

The French deployed to assist the Cypriot government, the fact that Akrotiri
might get a bit of cover as a result is a side effect.

Also worth bearing in mind there's still a lot of French influence and quite a few French expats in the region so it's no surprise they are moving ships to the eastern Med.

Original poster

HappyFace2025 · 05/03/2026 09:00

'As far as I'm concerned the Spanish are the impressive ones'
Let's hope Spain doesn't need help from the EU or NATO in the future then as people have long memories.

OP posts:

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 08:58

Because the French piling in with Trump doesn’t have the same punch as the British clamming up. The French are part of the EU and have countries like Spain etc pulling on the brakes behind. It is easier for them to have their hands tied by circumstance.

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 08:53

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 08:20

I don’t think it’s a prevarication I think it’s a strategic position. We will not be pulled into this nonsense because Trump woke up one morning and thought he’d just have a little murder and destroy to create peace.

I think the French have shown they will protect Cyprus and their presence is far more calming than ours would be.

As far as I’m concerned the Spanish are the impressive ones.

Serious question ... why will the French being at our airbase in Cyprus (in a defensive capacity) be a far more calming presence?

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 08:20

I don’t think it’s a prevarication I think it’s a strategic position. We will not be pulled into this nonsense because Trump woke up one morning and thought he’d just have a little murder and destroy to create peace.

I think the French have shown they will protect Cyprus and their presence is far more calming than ours would be.

As far as I’m concerned the Spanish are the impressive ones.

Original poster

HappyFace2025 · 05/03/2026 08:08

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 07:58

Surely we are looking for calm slow response to deescalate not frantic scurrying towards war? We have quite enough aggression in the region.

While I agree with you in principle Iran is bombing everywhere there are American interests, as well as the intercepted strikes on Cyprus (ours) and other ME countries, so they are already 'frantically scurrying'. Modern day warfare is in the skies and is faster than previously it seems.

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EasternStandard · 05/03/2026 08:08

HappilyFreeNow · 03/03/2026 15:46

Which is precisely why he needs to toady in the hope of a Blairish sinecure.

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I doubt it.

Pineneedlesincarpet · 05/03/2026 08:07

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 07:58

Surely we are looking for calm slow response to deescalate not frantic scurrying towards war? We have quite enough aggression in the region.

But this is the defence of our own base?