With the strongest aerial firefighting force in recent years, the Republic of Cyprus is entering the 2026 fire season. The island's shielding strategy, which was put on track for implementation as early as the beginning of 2025, now seems to be bearing fruit, with the state mechanism declaring itself ready to deal with the fires.
For the period April 1 to October 31, 2026, the Republic declares that it has a strong strike force. The total number of aircraft is 14, of which 9 are airplanes and 5 helicopters.
Today, it has at its disposal for aerial firefighting purposes 11 aircraft, 10 leased and one privately owned, to support the work of preventing and suppressing fires during the fire season of the year.
For the same purpose, two firefighting aircraft from Jordan have arrived and are stationed in Cyprus, while a Chinook helicopter (CH-47) from the United Kingdom is stationed at the British Akrotiri Bases.
Specifically, at Paphos Air Base, the Republic of Cyprus has 4 leased Air Tractor aircraft (AT-802F) and 4 Black Hawk firefighting helicopters with their crews, which are already in full operational readiness.
At the moment, the 2 Air Tractor aircraft from Jordan are stationed at Larnaca International Airport, which have been in Cyprus since April 15, 2026 at the request of the Republic of Cyprus, sealing the successful transnational cooperation that started in 2025. The first newly received privately owned Air Tractor of the Republic, staffed by Cypriot pilots, will operate there from May 1.
This aircraft is stationed at the Air Firefighting Squadron (MAE) and is the first of a total of three of the same type, of which the second is expected to be received in 2026 and the third in 2028.
British Akrotiri Bases hosts 2 additional leased Air Tractors, as well as the UK's Chinook (CH-47) helicopter.
In the event of major fires, during which the simultaneous operational involvement of a significant number or all of the aircraft will be required, the National Guard mobilizes the AW139 helicopter as a coordination center in the air, ensuring flight safety, accuracy of drops and limiting the risk of accidents.
The EU Regional Firefighting Centre is established in Cyprus
The establishment of the European Union Regional Firefighting Centre (CRAFS) is now a fact, sealing Nicosia's upgraded role in European civil protection planning in view of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, recently visited the facilities of the "Andreas Papandreou" Air Base in Paphos, where the Center will be housed. Accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Vassilis Palmas, and the Chief of the National Guard, the President was thoroughly briefed on the progress of the implementation of the CRAFS infrastructure, the expansion and upgrade projects of the Air Base and the operational capabilities for the rapid deployment of aerial firefighting means.
The official ratification of the Centre's operation will take place on 23 and 24 April, during the informal European Council Meeting in Cyprus. President Christodoulides will inaugurate the project jointly with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who had personally referred to the need to create such a hub in her State of the Union address.
"This is a decisive moment that highlights the strategic role of our country," said the Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letympiotis, pointing out that the Center is the product of a systematic Cypriot proposal adopted by Brussels.
The Centre, which is co-funded by the EU and coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), serves three key objectives:
Operational capability enhancement: The EU's air response capability is upgraded, with the pre-deployment of forces in Cyprus for immediate intervention.
Regional cooperation: The project is part of the Pact for the Mediterranean, strengthening cooperation with the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood to manage multiple risks.
Resilience to the climate crisis: Cyprus is becoming Europe's "stronghold" in a region particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The timing is not accidental. Strengthening the EU's regional dimension is a strategic priority of the Cyprus Presidency. CRAFS is not just a firefighting infrastructure, but a tangible confirmation of Cyprus' extroversion, transforming its geographical location into an essential asset for the security of the whole of Europe.
The Legacy of 2025 and Strategic Planning
Today's readiness is a continuation of the radical reorganization that began in 2025.
"The subordination of the Air Firefighting Unit under the Air Force Command of the National Guard from April 1, 2025, was the turning point for better coordination of means," Ministry of Defense sources say.
At the same time, the five-year planning approved in 2025 for the acquisition of 10 privately owned planes is in full swing.
With the first aircraft already joining the fleet and the second expected within this year, Cyprus is gradually becoming dependent on costly leases, investing in a uniform aircraft type for maximum efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
