11.10.2026 23:42
The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus is preparing a €205 million naval base project to strengthen its military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Technical work has begun for the base, which will be expanded to host warships belonging to France and Greece, while the air base in Paphos is also planned to be modernized with US support. The Greek Cypriot administration also aims to secure €1.2 billion in defense financing from the European Union.
The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) continues its cooperation with the US, France and Greece to expand base infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean suitable for military use by foreign countries.
The Greek Cypriot Ministry of Defense signed a technical study contract on October 6 with a consortium consisting of Greece-based TRITON and MARNET companies for the expansion of the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in the Mari region.
According to a report by the Greek Cypriot newspaper Fileleftheros, under the project, which is expected to cost approximately 205 million euros, the naval base is planned to be brought to a capacity that can host warships belonging to France, Greece and other European countries. The technical work is targeted for completion in October 2027.
US DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN MILITARY BASE PROJECT IN PAPHOS The other leg of the military infrastructure projects carried out by the Greek Cypriot administration with foreign countries is the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos. Fileleftheros reports that the technical work regarding the modernization of the air base is undertaken by the US, while the Washington administration is expected to provide technical and financial contributions to the project. Within the scope of preparations carried out with US participation, it is planned to extend the runway, create infrastructure suitable for the use of more military aircraft, build large aircraft hangars and develop communication systems.
In a report by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini Cyprus, it was stated that the goal is to upgrade Paphos Air Base to standards suitable for the use of American military aircraft.
Andreas Papandreou Air Base NAVAL BASE TO BE EXPANDED FOR FRENCH AND GREEK WARSHIPS At Mari Naval Base, it is envisaged to increase the port depth, expand areas where large warships can dock, and strengthen military logistics infrastructure. According to information in the Greek Cypriot press, increasing the port's current depth of approximately 7 meters to over 12 meters is being evaluated. Thus, it is aimed to create infrastructure suitable for the use of frigates and submarines. It is stated that France is among the countries that can benefit from the naval base, and warships belonging to Greece can also use the facility.
1.2 BILLION EURO ARMAMENT PREPARATION FROM THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides listed increasing the military capacity of the Greek Cypriot National Guard among priority targets in the 2026 government program. It was stated that the GCASC aims to use approximately 1.2 billion euros from the European Union's SAFE defense financing mechanism, and it was reported that it also continues its cooperation with the US, France and Greece in the field of military infrastructure.
The Greek Cypriot administration argues that the modernization work will serve humanitarian aid and evacuation operations as well as military activities. It is stated that ownership and control of the facilities will remain with the GCASC.
2027 TARGET FOR MARI NAVAL BASE The military infrastructure projects carried out by the Greek Cypriot administration with foreign countries are on the security agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean. While a technical study contract was signed for Mari Naval Base, the US taking a role in the modernization of Paphos Air Base and planning for France and Greece to benefit from the naval base revealed the Greek Cypriot administration's preparations to expand military cooperation with foreign countries. While technical work related to the expansion of Mari Naval Base is targeted for completion in October 2027, it was reported that the construction project worth approximately 205 million euros has not yet entered the implementation phase.