Britain has deployed a number of F-35B fighter jets to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, according to open-source flight tracking data, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
The aircraft departed RAF Marham in eastern England and were supported by RAF Voyager aerial refuelling tankers during the transit. The deployment adds to the UK’s existing air presence at Akrotiri, which has long served as a key operating base for British military activity in the region. It is understood that the new deployment of capabilities is focused on defensive measures, mainly detecting and defeating airborne threats around the base.
The movement of the F-35Bs was identified through monitoring of publicly available flight data by our senior editor, Jon.
UPDATE: 20260207-0915Z
Off to a slow start this morning with not much happening overnight. UK officials have however confirmed the 6x F-35B moved to Akrotiri yesterday are not for Op SHADER and are relating to Iran!
cc: @MATA_osint @ArmchairAdml @BrianE6B @TheIntelFrog… pic.twitter.com/oxDKXju6P8
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) February 7, 2026
RAF Akrotiri has built up into a notably busy operating base, hosting a mix of frontline fast jets and supporting enablers. The current footprint seems to include a sizeable Typhoon presence alongside a smaller detachment of F-35B Lightning aircraft, backed by Voyager tanker support.
UPDATE: 20260206-1715Z
Tempo of C-17 flights continues, although as noted earlier C-5 flights seeing an increase. RAF Akrotiri now has 10 Typhoon & 6 F-35s plus 2 tankers, possibly for Op SHADER or defensive ops in face of Iran
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— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) February 6, 2026
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the UK Defence Journal:
“We regularly review the capability and force protection of our overseas bases, including the Sovereign Base Areas. This recent movement of additional capabilities is part of our ongoing work to support security and stability in the Middle East.”
The deployment comes as the United States has also increased airlift activity into the region. Publicly available flight tracking also indicates a surge in U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster movements into multiple bases across the Middle East, including in Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
RAF Akrotiri itself is one of Britain’s most important overseas military facilities and has been used for operations across the Middle East for more than a decade, including air missions against Islamic State under Operation Shader.
date:2026-02-07 11:07:00