Cyprus has significantly increased its defense spending, allocating €532 million over the next three years to modernize and strengthen the National Guard (RMMO), according to reports in the local media.
The funds will be used to acquire advanced and “smart” weapons systems, with €176.8 million earmarked for 2026 alone.
A confidential document submitted to Parliament outlines the Ministry of Defense’s long-term procurement strategy, which includes the purchase of high-tech systems to enhance deterrence and operational capabilities.
Spending is projected to rise to €180 million in 2027 and €175 million in 2028, with potential upward revisions.
Among the planned acquisitions are three H145M attack helicopters from Airbus, set to be delivered in 2026.
These will replace 11 Russian-made MI35P helicopters sold to Serbia. The Ministry emphasized that the new systems will be sourced from Israel, European countries, and potentially the United States.
The defense strategy also includes infrastructure upgrades at the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari and the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos.
In parallel, Cyprus is pursuing defense diplomacy, strengthening ties with EU nations and the U.S. to build alliances that serve national interests, particularly in relation to Turkey.
Cyprus has expanded bilateral defense cooperation with countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as regional partners including Israel, Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
The country also participates in nine EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) programs and contributes personnel to key EU defense institutions.
The RMMO continues joint exercises with U.S. forces and engages in training programs through the State Partnership Program with the New Jersey National Guard. Recent purchases include night vision equipment and bomb disposal robots, further boosting operational readiness.