The EU SAFE regulation enables us to further strengthen the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus, while the alliances entered into by the Republic of Cyprus raise various issues concerning the upgrading of infrastructure, stressed Minister of Defense Vassilis Palmas.
Speaking to the Finance Committee of the Parliament, which examined the budget of the Ministry of Defense for 2026, which foresees budgeted expenditures of €628,1 million and is increased compared to the 2025 budget by approximately €39,7 million, Mr. Palmas said that "there are challenges, these challenges are not inexhaustible, nor do they create any particular excitement for us beyond the known possibilities and the down-to-earth approach that we want to have around these issues."
"We never claimed that Cyprus would become a superpower on the planet, whether military or political, but we have the capabilities and the time is right to further strengthen our country's position in international affairs and at the same time to preserve to the greatest possible extent sovereignty and territorial integrity within a framework of dignity and self-respect," said Mr. Palmas.
He noted that the amount related to Cyprus from SAFE amounts to 1,2 billion euros with a loan repayment horizon of 45 years.
Furthermore, Mr. Palmas said that "our ambition is to upgrade and modernize the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the General Florakis naval base in Mari."
He stated that there is a significant cost, mainly for the naval base, estimated at over 200 million euros, and "at the same time, there is the US will to cooperate and upgrade and modernize the Andreas Papandreou air base."
At the same time, he continued, "we must take care of and further strengthen the Republic of Cyprus with armament programs."
The Minister of Defense said that a positive development concerns cooperation with the US, where we have the opportunity, through three programs, "to equip ourselves and improve our armament program."
He added that these programs concern, first, surplus military equipment, second, the possibility that we have, through direct talks with the US Department of Defense, to be able to order some programs, and third, our cooperation on terrorism issues and others.
In his first appearance at the Committee since his appointment, the new Chief of the Hellenic Defence Force, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou, said that "through the existing financial frameworks, incorporating the lessons we see and study around us, we will try to do the best possible for the Cypriot defense through smart solutions."
Source: KYPE
