US funding to enhance key military bases
Cyprus US base upgrade plans are progressing with American financial support, as the Republic moves to strengthen critical military infrastructure and its regional role, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Focus on naval and air bases
At the centre of the developments are the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base and the Andreas Papandreou Air Base, which are set to receive new infrastructure to support evacuation operations and humanitarian missions from conflict zones in the Middle East.
Specifically, at the naval base, located just 229 kilometres from the coast of Lebanon, a new helipad is planned with funding from US European Command (EUCOM). The facility will be capable of accommodating large transport helicopters such as Chinook aircraft used for evacuations.
At the same time, the air base in southwest Cyprus is set for expansion with a new aircraft parking area, enabling heavy military transport planes involved in humanitarian missions to refuel and undergo maintenance more efficiently.
Timeline and funding details
According to National Guard spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paris Samoutis, the two projects are part of a broader upgrade programme, with works expected to begin next year.
While the total amount of US funding has not yet been finalised, he noted that €500,000 has already been allocated for a development study to determine the overall cost of expanding the air base.
Deepening Cyprus–US cooperation
The report highlights that closer cooperation between Cyprus and the United States would have been difficult to imagine a decade ago, when Nicosia gradually moved away from a long-standing policy of neutrality toward a more Western-oriented approach.
Special reference is made to President Nikos Christodoulides, who since taking office in 2023 has consistently promoted Cyprus’ geographic position as a strategic advantage for both the European Union and the United States.
“As a conscious and responsible partner, Cyprus remains a reliable and safe harbour,” the president said last December.
Strategic and humanitarian role expands
The report notes that the US previously relied mainly on British bases in Cyprus for regional operations. However, the upgrade of Cypriot infrastructure is creating additional options for Washington and European countries with increased regional interest, such as France.
Cyprus has already played this role during recent crises. In April 2023, it served as a transit hub for the repatriation of third-country nationals from Sudan, while in 2025 it again acted as an intermediate stop for civilians leaving Israel and for Israelis returning home.
In 2024, the maritime humanitarian corridor “Amalthea” was activated to deliver thousands of tonnes of aid to Gaza, initially directly and later via the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Additional upgrades and new coordination centre
According to Samoutis, beyond the new helipad, the naval base will also gain upgraded port facilities capable of hosting larger warships, such as frigates, which can provide air defence coverage through radar and missile systems during helicopter operations.
Meanwhile, a new regional wildfire coordination centre is set to operate at the air base, aimed at supporting neighbouring Middle Eastern countries in tackling large-scale fires. The centre is expected to be inaugurated next month.
“Cyprus remains part of the solution and not the problem,” the National Guard spokesperson said, echoing a phrase also used by the president.
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