US plans defense upgrades in Cyprus: Reuters
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While Cypriot officials present the cooperation as part of a broader national defense strategy, critics suggest that the island's role has been more closely tied to intelligence gathering and military operations in the region rather than humanitarian missions.
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Military helicopters of Cypriot air forces fly behind a Cyprus flag during a military parade marking 60th anniversary of Cyprus' independence from British colonial rule, in Nicosia in the divided island of Cyprus, on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 (AP)
Reuters reported on Tuesday that a US military assessment team will visit Cyprus this week to evaluate and recommend upgrades to the island's defense infrastructure. This visit comes as part of expanding US-Cyprus cooperation, announced recently by Washington, and has drawn attention due to Cyprus's strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The team, based in Germany, will carry out the assessment at a military base in Paphos, located in the island's western district. According to Cypriot Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the evaluation will focus on projects to improve interoperability with the US and its allies.
"The upgrading of infrastructure, the supply of modern means and the investment in training are key pillars of our national strategy for an effective and flexible defence," Letymbiotis stated during a press briefing.
One area of focus will reportedly be the potential improvement of landing facilities at the airbase in Paphos, with an eye toward supporting large-scale evacuation operations from the Middle East if needed. This is part of Cyprus's broader role in facilitating operations in the region. A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the upgrades are intended to prepare for emergency scenarios, but the source declined to provide further details, citing a lack of authorization to speak to the media.
Read more: UK refuses to say if IOF bombers using its Cyprus base
The strengthening ties between the US and Cyprus have not gone unnoticed by Turkey, which has criticized the growing military cooperation. The island remains divided since Turkey's 1974 invasion in response to a Greek-backed coup, with Ankara supporting the Turkish Cypriot administration in the north. Both Turkey and the northern administration have voiced disapproval of Cyprus's expanding defense partnership with the US.
While Cypriot officials present the cooperation as part of a broader national defense strategy, critics suggest that the island's role has been more closely tied to intelligence gathering and military operations in the region rather than humanitarian missions.
Covert operations
In February 2023, Declassified UK revealed that the U.S. has secretly expanded its military presence on British-controlled Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in Cyprus for decades. The report showed that US forces operating from RAF Akrotiri—a key base for reconnaissance missions—were engaged in intelligence and surveillance operations across the Middle East and North Africa. Documents obtained by Declassified UK indicated plans to increase US deployments to 129 airmen by 2024, highlighting Cyprus's role as a critical hub for US and UK intelligence activities.
Then, in May 2024, Declassified UK reported on the UK's direct involvement in the war on Gaza through 60 military flights to "Israel," most of which originated from RAF Akrotiri. These flights, which occurred between October 2023 and May 2024, primarily transported personnel and equipment. Although the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed the flights were for "diplomatic engagements" and humanitarian purposes, the lack of transparency raised suspicions.
Independent sources revealed that aircraft such as C-17A Globemasters and A400M Atlases were used, potentially transporting up to 4,300 personnel to "Israel." Speculation grew about the involvement of British special forces, with reports suggesting that units like the Special Air Service (SAS) were on standby in Cyprus for operations related to Gaza.
