NICOSIA, Cyprus — Britain’s prime minister says that two more warplanes will be deployed at a British air base on Cyprus to join others flying missions against Islamic State group targets in Iraq.

Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement during a brief visit at RAF Akrotiri late Thursday. The deployment will bring the number of Tornado aircraft now deployed at the base to eight.

Cameron said the additional warplanes will help “keep up the tempo” of airstrikes aiming to beat back the extremist group and to “save lives in Iraq,” according to a transcript of his remarks provided by his London press office.

British warplanes have destroyed several Islamic State group targets in Iraq since Friday when Britain joined the U.S.-led coalition of nations that are launching air strikes against the extremists.