Three times yesterday the sirens sounded in the area of the British bases in Akrotiri, as a result of which a disturbance was created, both among the residents of the area and among all citizens, who are now wondering how real and how immediate the threat is each time since the start of the warning.
The government, through the Government Spokesman, then informs about each incident. In all three cases, Mr. Letympiotis clarified that no threat was detected, so the alarm ended.
According to well-informed sources of Filenews from experts, the British bases in Akrotiri are put on alert from the moment a threat is detected in the direction of Cyprus, from the Lebanese region. Thus, it is automatically considered that the targets of the attack are the bases, which respond in a short time with the take-off of fighters to intercept the targets. However, a few minutes later it may be realized that the object recorded in the surveillance systems was not threatening.
To identify threats, allied forces in the area have created a Joint Operational Picture (COP) in cooperation with the National Guard. Through this image, an understanding is achieved "about what we see", so that it can be intercepted. In fact, as we were told, if the Greek frigate "Psara" with the "Centaur" system, the drone that hit the British bases, had been in the area of Cyprus, it would have been detected in time. This system has been developed entirely to deal with drones and has even been tested in battle, during Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea, when it detected and shot down Houthi drones.
As for who is carrying out the interceptions of these drones, it is speculated that in most cases they are dealt with by Israel, while it is unknown whether the RAF fighters have carried out target engagements.
As for this particular incident, and why it was not detected earlier, as we are in a position to know, the problem lies in technology issues and in the very philosophy of drones. As we were told, even the best and most powerful radars can lose them because they are made of lightweight materials without a large thermal footprint. In fact, this particular one, which hit the bases, was located, then disappeared and then detected again by radar.
The radar cross-section (RCS) of the Shahed-136 is considered to be particularly small, making it particularly difficult to detect. On the front side, its signature is estimated at about 0.01 square meters, a size that roughly corresponds to that of a small bird. The distinctive "delta" shape with the wings integrated reduces the radar reflection angles, while the extensive use of synthetic materials and the absence of large metal surfaces further contribute to low detectability. This is indicative of the difficulty that drones have brought even to the world's largest armies.
Therefore, the pattern with the alarms is expected to continue as long as the war is ongoing.
