With the 2025 fire season already beginning and drought conditions intensifying, the Republic of Cyprus is intensifying its efforts to enhance the preparedness and effectiveness of firefighting forces in order to meet the challenges expected during the summer.
As of June 1, 2025, the country has for the first time at least 9 primary aircraft to fight forest fires, while two additional helicopters are expected to arrive within the week.
Upon their arrival the fleet will consist of 5 helicopters and 6 aircraft, which have either been leased or provided through interstate crewed agreements. In addition, there are 5 secondary aircraft through the National Guard, the Police and the British Bases, which are manned by their respective services.
On Saturday, two leased American Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopters arrived at Paphos Airport, giving significant operational power to civil protection.
These helicopters have a 3.6-ton external tank and are equipped with the advanced Hover Snorkel system, which allows the tank to be filled in just 60 seconds, even from small tanks or pools, while in flight.
They have the capacity to transport 3,600 liters of water and can operate for up to 2.5 consecutive hours, with high accuracy in castings. Their water intake is done without landing, reducing the time of absence from the front line to a minimum.
According to competent sources, the arrival of two additional helicopters, also leased with a minimum transport capacity of 3,000 liters of water, is expected within the next few days.
With their accession, the primary aerial firefighting vehicles will reach 11, as last year, but earlier this year, with the Republic of Cyprus achieving historically high levels of preparedness.
This year's firefighting season finds Cyprus more prepared than ever, both in terms of human resources, with the largest number of forest firefighters ever, and in terms of the ground and air fleet, which is characterized by the authorities as the most powerful in the history of the state.
At the same time, the strategic transition to privately owned aircraft is underway, with the aim of reducing dependence on rented aircraft.
The process of purchasing 10 firefighting aircraft and 4 medium-range helicopters has already begun, while the study for the procurement of a heavy-duty aircraft and a long-range coordination aircraft is also in progress.
As the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides recently stated, "if we achieve a higher degree of prevention, we will reduce the challenges we have to face", stressing the need for constant preparedness in the face of the increasing impacts of climate change.
All the President's announcements on the strengthening of democracy through the use of aircraft are on track, according to statements by the Minister of Agriculture. This initiative aims to support transparency institutions and mechanisms, while it is characterized by close cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture and Defence.
"We are in full alignment with the President's directions and we are proceeding methodically with the implementation of all announcements," the Minister of Agriculture said, pointing out that aircraft play a crucial role in the supervisory mechanism of state operation.
The contribution of the Ministry of Defense is considered catalytic, as it is noted that since April 2025, the aircraft have been subordinated to the National Guard.
This decision serves the dual need of enhancing flight safety and the rational development of a state-owned fleet.
Like last year, this year's firefighting season includes 11 primary aircraft in full operational readiness, while in previous years the Republic of Cyprus had mainly 6 aircraft.
