Cyprus secures EU co-funding for firefighting aircraft fleet

Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas announced on Monday that the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) is close to securing European Union co-funding to acquire two dedicated firefighting aircraft. Speaking at the Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos during a distinguished visitors event, Palmas confirmed that the procurement process is in an advanced stage and is expected to reach a successful conclusion soon.

These new assets are intended to bolster the station's operational capabilities, allowing it to move beyond its role as a coordination hub to having its own aerial fleet. The aircraft will primarily support EU member states in the Southern Neighbourhood region. In addition to direct firefighting, CRAFS is being developed into a centre of excellence tasked with establishing common operational standards, personnel certification, training, and research. The facility will also provide command and control functions for aircraft deployed under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, fostering interoperability among participating countries.

The initiative marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Paphos-based hub, which aims to serve as a critical component in regional disaster response. Ongoing efforts are focused on finalizing the funding agreement and establishing communication protocols to ensure effective collaboration across borders.