New air raid sirens are to be installed at RAF Akrotiri and the adjacent village, with the UK Ministry of Defence awarding a five-year supply contract to US company Acoustic Technologies.
The contract is worth £552,239 (€644,242) and will cover the supply and installation of the new warning system.
The British Ministry of Defence said there was “a need to supplement the air raid warning sirens that are currently in place at RAF Akrotiri”.
It added that the new system must be capable of covering both RAF Akrotiri and Akrotiri village for community warning purposes.
Distinct alerts for different threats
The new air raid sirens will feature distinct alert tones for air raids and imminent threats, followed by an all-clear signal.
The system will also include live and recorded voice announcement capabilities.
The contract will cover supply, commissioning, documentation, training, warranty and through-life support.
Acoustic Technologies is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and describes itself as a provider of emergency communication and early warning systems.
Further details of the contract are expected to be published within the next month, in accordance with UK law.
Akrotiri targeted by drone in March
The installation comes after a year in which the British bases in Cyprus attracted increased political and security attention.
RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian-made drone on March 2.
Following the incident, President Nikos Christodoulides said during his arrival at a European Council summit in March that Cyprus would have an “open and frank discussion” with the British government about the future of the bases.
The European Council subsequently said it was ready to assist the Cypriot government in discussions concerning the bases’ future. It also acknowledged Cyprus’ intention to initiate discussions with the UK on the issue.
Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou later said the government had sought and received legal advice concerning the treaty establishing the bases, adding that security was a complex issue that would be discussed with the British side.
The UK government, however, indicated that it did not consider the future of the bases to be under discussion. Al Carns, then parliamentary undersecretary of state for the armed forces, said the bases’ future was “not in question”. Carns resigned from the government last month, citing insufficient defence funding.
Residents protest over antenna plans
The latest development follows a protest by residents of Akrotiri village last week against British plans to install up to 68 new communications antennae near the adjacent salt lake.
Residents criticised the plans and described the proposed structures as “antennae of death”.
The new warning system will add to the existing emergency infrastructure serving RAF Akrotiri and the surrounding community.
Also read: Ecologists oppose Akrotiri antenna plans
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