Cyprus to upgrade military bases with US and French assistance by 2030

Cyprus plans to launch upgrades for the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari starting in spring 2027. The project, expected to conclude by 2030, involves collaboration with the United States for the air base and French experts for the naval base. At the Paphos air base, the runway will be extended to accommodate larger transport aircraft, and new high-tech communications and fuel storage facilities will be installed. The naval base in Mari will undergo significant dredging to increase depth from seven meters to over 12 meters, enabling the docking of frigates and submarines. Additionally, the marina will be expanded as part of the modernization effort. Both facilities are set to receive upgraded anti-drone systems to secure the infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence tender has already attracted interest from several companies. Upon completion, the bases are intended to serve allied needs and act as hubs for large-scale evacuation and humanitarian operations.