The Cypriot daily Fileleftheros reported that it has obtained details outlining the scope of expanding defense cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.
The paper said the cooperation framework includes construction of new defense infrastructure, upgrades to existing facilities, discussions on supplying defense equipment and expanded training for Cypriot military personnel.
The report appeared under the headline, “New Works and Equipment… We Reveal the Axes of Cyprus–U.S. Defense Cooperation.”
According to Fileleftheros, the steps were listed in an American briefing note shared with the newspaper. The document highlights planned upgrades to the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos to make it operationally useful for the EU and NATO, construction of a helicopter landing pad and a multipurpose facility at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari, and a new multipurpose building at the Larnaca Military Training Camp.
The paper recalled that earlier this month, officials from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency visited Cyprus to brief authorities on the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programs.
It also reported that the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy have opened training opportunities to Cypriot personnel.
Training programs under the bilateral cooperation framework continue, including advanced aerial firefighting instruction, the newspaper said.
The report emphasized that U.S. funding is considered essential for Cyprus to continue strengthening defense infrastructure to meet the needs of the National Guard and its partners.
It said U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) has financed a comprehensive infrastructure assessment at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base, aimed at supporting current and future requirements of the Cypriot Air Force and enabling long‑term expansion to support EU and NATO partners’ air operations.
The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) has also funded construction of a multipurpose facility and helicopter pad at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base, the paper said.
According to the American note cited by the newspaper, the investments will support U.S. exercises and operations related to civilian evacuation missions, regional crisis management and activities linked to Cyprus’ “Estia” contingency plan.
Once completed, operational control of the infrastructure — estimated to be worth millions of dollars — will remain with the Cypriot government, the report said.
Fileleftheros added that the first DSCA delegation visit is expected this month and that advanced discussions continue on opportunities under the FMS program, including the possible acquisition of low‑cost military transport trucks.
The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program is also continuing successfully, with an average of 30 Cypriot students receiving military training at U.S. facilities each year.
The cost of training is shared between the United States and Cyprus.
