Apostolos Tomaras
The United States’ renewal of the arms embargo waiver for 2027 will help military agreements set in motion over the past several years proceed smoothly and reach completion.
The US State Department’s positive assessment of Cyprus, together with Congress’ final decision to renew the waiver for another year, is expected to benefit several cooperation programs between the two countries that are currently being studied or implemented.
One such program is the modernization of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos. Work will be carried out to bring the base up to the standards required for use by US aircraft.
According to reliable information obtained by Kathimerini, preparations for the base’s upgrade are at an advanced stage. Officials at the Defence Ministry and National Guard General Staff expect construction work to begin in spring 2027.
President Nikos Christodoulides also referred to the project following the announcement that the US arms embargo waiver would be renewed for 2027.
“I am referring specifically to the Andreas Papandreou Air Base. Discussions are ongoing with the United States regarding the purchase of defense equipment from the United States,” he said.
Hummer vehicles
Alongside upgrades to National Guard infrastructure, the lifting of the arms embargo gives the Republic of Cyprus access to military equipment from US military surplus stocks.
Beyond equipment for military personnel, National Guard officials have identified other hardware that could meet the force’s needs. One such case, according to information obtained by Kathimerini, involves Hummer-type military vehicles that the National Guard could acquire, with Cyprus covering the transportation and maintenance costs.
A competent source told Kathimerini that the search for suitable military equipment will continue next year.
The same source said the National Guard’s interest in acquiring helicopters and C-130 transport aircraft did not produce the desired result, as the available equipment identified did not meet the requirements of National Guard officials.
The third pillar of cooperation between Cyprus and the United States concerns the training of security personnel.
“For the first time, Cypriots are studying at US military academies,” Christodoulides said.
“Particularly in defense and security, we have excellent cooperation, cooperation that has never before reached such a high level,” the president added.
