Cyprus is seeking a permanent presence of Greek air force fighter jets at Paphos airbase as part of a deepening defence cooperation with Athens following the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri in March, according to information obtained by Phileleftheros.
Nicosia wants more than the periodic rotation of Greek aircraft currently in place, seeking a stable and continuous presence to more effectively protect the Cyprus Flight Information Region against asymmetric threats from the Middle East.
Greece currently has F-16 fighters stationed in Cyprus. According to the same sources, a switch to a different aircraft type is under consideration at a later stage — possibly twin-engine F-4 Phantoms. Crew rotations would continue regardless of aircraft type.
The Greek military presence also serves as an operational familiarisation exercise for the Cyprus National Guard, particularly in terms of coordination, interoperability and joint operations with the Hellenic Air Force.
Greek frigate to maintain permanent presence in Cyprus EEZ
The same philosophy extends to naval deterrence. A Greek Navy frigate is to maintain a permanent presence in Cypriot waters for the protection and surveillance of the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Currently in the area is the frigate Elli (F 450), equipped with two 76mm OTO Melara naval guns, two Phalanx close-in weapon systems, Harpoon surface-to-surface guided missiles and Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. The Elli also carries anti-submarine warfare weapons and electronic countermeasure systems. Greek naval forces will rotate to allow crew rest.
Cyprus and France sign new SOFA agreement
Cyprus and France have signed a new Status of Forces Agreement establishing a legal framework for joint operations, exercises and military presence on each other’s territory.
The agreement covers the rights and obligations of military personnel during exercises, missions and operations; administrative, operational and logistical support; and the terms of cooperation in joint training and multinational missions. It aims to facilitate operational cooperation, strengthen interoperability and enable faster responses to joint security and defence missions.
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said the agreement “is the culmination of the already close strategic relationship between the two countries, which is based on the Cyprus-France Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in Paris last December.”
The cooperation covers naval, land and air dimensions, including joint exercises such as ARGONAUT and EUNOMIA, as well as French military presence in the region within the framework of security and surveillance missions.
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Cyprus and France formalise closer military cooperation with SOFA deal