Merlin surveillance and control helicopter equipped with Crowsnest arrives in Cyprus

A specialised Royal Navy Merlin helicopter has arrived in Cyprus to help further strengthen the UK’s ability to detect aerial threats in the region. 

The Merlin Mk2 helicopter, aircrews and an engineering team landed at RAF Akrotiri, having left their home at RNAS Culdrose over the weekend.

The helicopter, from 820 Naval Air Squadron, can carry out anti-submarine warfare (ASW), but the Crowsnest kit lets the aircraft be used in the airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) role. 

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It comes as Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon prepares to deploy to the Eastern Mediterranean. 

The vessel is one of the most capable air defence warships, fitted with Sea Viper missiles. 

"We activated one of our ASaC aircraft to deploy immediately to provide an additional layer of defence for our defences at [RAF] Akrotiri," said Captain James Hall, RNAS Culdrose's commanding officer. 

"Our aircraft from Merlin Helicopter Force are held at readiness to respond at short notice to any threat to UK interests."

The Merlin helicopter, which is crewed by three personnel, can fly up to a mile in the air, giving advance warning of incoming drones or missiles. 

The aircraft was pictured with its Crowsnest airborne surveillance and control attached to its side at RNAS Culdrose before flying out to Cyprus. 

"820 Naval Air Squadron already has experience of providing force protection from similar threats, having deployed ASaC aircraft on active operations in the Red Sea last year during the transits of the Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast," Capt Hall added. 

Crowsnest utilises very powerful radar to provide long-range air, maritime and land-tracking capabilities, enabling the UK to detect any threat early, according to defence contractor and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin. 

Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, armed with air-to-air Martlet missiles, have already been sent to Cyprus.

These aircraft were loaded onto an RAF C-17 Globemaster at RNAS Yeovilton for the flight to the island. 

Aircrew have repeatedly destroyed aerial drones using the Wildcat-Martlet combination on test ranges; however, the partnership has yet to be tested in action.