PAPHOS, Cyprus (AP) – In a move to enhance its military capabilities, Cyprus is upgrading significant military installations with financial assistance from U.S. taxpayers. The island is positioning itself as a safe haven in the eastern Mediterranean for evacuees from conflict zones in the Middle East and a humanitarian aid hub. The upgrades are part of Cyprus' broader strategic goal to serve as a reliable partner in regional humanitarian initiatives.
One of the prominent projects includes the construction of a new heliport at Cyprus' main Evangelos Florakis naval base. Located just 142 miles (229 kilometers) from Lebanon's coast, this facility will be funded by U.S. European Command and will accommodate large Chinook-type transport helicopters essential for airlifting evacuees from turbulent areas.
Additionally, the Andreas Papandreou air base in the island's southwest is set to undergo an expansion. A new apron will be added to facilitate the quick refueling and maintenance of heavy-lift military transport aircraft, which are invaluable for regional humanitarian missions. Lt. Col. Paris Samoutis, a spokesperson for Cyprus' National Guard, emphasized these enhancements during an exclusive media tour of the restricted military facilities.
The U.S. funding will cover two major infrastructure projects as part of a more extensive upgrade program for both military bases. Although the exact funding details have not been disclosed, assessments are currently underway to estimate the costs involved. Preliminary support from the U.S. has included €500,000 ($588,000) allocated for the development plan to facilitate the air base's expansion.
Over the past decade, Cyprus has shifted its diplomatic stance from a non-aligned posture to a more Western-oriented approach, enhancing its ties with the U.S. Under President Nikos Christodoulides, who was educated in the United States, Cyprus has ended a longstanding U.S.-imposed arms embargo, opening avenues for new business and military collaborations.
Christodoulides, who took office in 2023, has advocated for Cyprus' strategic geographic location, promoting it as a crucial link for Western diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts in the volatile Middle East. He has asserted, "As a conscientious and responsible partner, Cyprus remains a credible and safe harbor."
Historically, the U.S. military has relied on two British bases in Cyprus, which were established post-independence in 1960. However, recent advancements in Cyprus' military installations offer the U.S. and its EU allies alternatives for operations in the region. A notable incident involved a Shahed drone attack on the RAF Akrotiri base in March 2023, reportedly launched from Lebanon.
In April 2023, Cyprus served as a transit hub for repatriating third-country nationals from crisis-hit Sudan. Following the U.S. and Israel's airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June 2025, Cyprus again provided critical support by facilitating the return of stranded individuals. Furthermore, in 2024, Cyprus established the Amalthea maritime corridor to deliver thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza.
Several EU nations and other countries have deployed personnel, aircraft, and resources in Cyprus for potential evacuations. Notably, the U.S. established a marine contingent at Paphos air base in 2024, utilizing V-22 Osprey aircraft to aid in evacuations from Lebanon. President Christodoulides has stressed that Cyprus' military facilities will focus exclusively on humanitarian operations rather than offensive military actions.
In addition to the heliport, the naval base will receive improved port facilities capable of accommodating larger warships, necessary for aerial defense through advanced radar and missile systems supporting transport helicopters. The air base will also house a regional firefighting coordination center, aimed at assisting neighboring countries in managing major wildfires, slated for inauguration next month.
As Lt. Col. Samoutis articulated, "Cyprus remains part of the solution, not the problem," which reflects the government's ongoing commitment to humanitarian assistance and regional stability.
