UK sends plane-load of cash to Cyprus for its troops

Reuters) - Britain sent a military plane carrying 1 million euros ($1.3 million) in cash to Cyprus on Tuesday for its troops on the island in case cash machines and bank cards stop working, the defense ministry said.

About 3,500 British military personnel are based in Cyprus, which has been granted a 10 billion euro bailout. But a tax on its banks' depositors as part of the deal sparked outrage and rattled financial markets.

"An RAF (Royal Air Force) flight left for Cyprus this afternoon with 1 million euros on board as a contingency measure to provide military personnel and their families with emergency loans in the event that cash machines and debit cards stop working completely," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

"We will keep this under review and consider further shipments if required."