Cyprus is strengthening its wildfire response as the European Commission announced the deployment of two additional light firefighting aircraft to the island for this summer under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The aircraft will join four other light planes already funded through separate EU programs, significantly boosting the operational capacity of the Republic of Cyprus during the fire season.
The European Union also confirmed that in 2026 it will open a new regional firefighting hub in Cyprus. The facility will host six aircraft and serve as a training and exercise center for civil protection professionals from across Europe and the southern Mediterranean.
The initiative is part of the EU’s largest wildfire‑preparedness effort to date, with nearly 800 firefighters, 22 aircraft, and five helicopters on standby to assist countries facing major fires.