Turkey has deployed the Hisar-O medium-altitude air defense system to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), thereby increasing its deterrence.
Dr. Yiannos Charalambides, who has published numerous detailed military research articles critical of Turkey in Simerini, a newspaper published in Southern Cyprus, wrote the following on the issue:
“Turkey has deployed the HİSAR-O air defense system on the island as part of the STEEL DOME, following the deployment of KORKUT.
The system installed in Kyrenia has rendered the H145M helicopters acquired by the Greek Cypriot Administration ineffective. This is because the H145M can carry rockets with a maximum range of 7 km and Spike ER2 missiles with a range of 16 km, whereas Hisar-O can employ air defense missiles with ranges of 15, 25, and 40 km. Moreover, KORKUT and ŞAHİN air defense systems are deployed alongside it to protect Hisar.
Under the STEEL DOME framework, the systems currently deployed in the TRNC are as follows: TRS-22XX radar (500 km), STR 700-G radar (250 km), KALKAN-II radar (120 km), STR 400-G (25 km), Hisar-O medium-range air defense system (40 km), KORKUT close-range air defense system (4 km), VURAL REDET (radar electronic support and electronic attack) system, and the PUHU 3-LT V/UHF electronic support system.
