Cyprus will receive two additional light firefighting aircraft through the EU civil protection mechanism for the summer, enhancing its fire management capabilities.
- Cyprus will receive two additional light firefighting aircraft through the EU civil protection mechanism for the summer, enhancing its fire management capabilities.
The deployment, announced on Tuesday, is part of a larger initiative involving a total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries stationed across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This represents the largest positioning of firefighting personnel since the EU programme commenced in 2022.
In addition to the aircraft assigned to Cyprus, the EU will keep 22 firefighting aircraft and five helicopters on standby during the fire season to assist member states if their national capacities are exceeded. These resources are coordinated through the ‘rescEU’ framework, which enables countries to request assistance when necessary.
Throughout the season, operations will be managed by the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which continuously monitors fire risk levels. The European Forest Fire Information System and the Copernicus satellite programme will also provide crucial support through risk assessment and mapping, offering near real-time data during natural disasters.
Looking ahead, the EU has confirmed plans for a regional firefighting base in Cyprus. This facility is expected to become operational later this year and is designed to accommodate up to six firefighting aircraft. It will serve as a training and coordination site for civil protection personnel from EU member states and partner countries in the Southern Mediterranean.
