Cyprus rules out permanent Greek and French troop deployments for now

Greece to maintain fighter jets in Cyprus as Nicosia, Athens deepen defense ties

Greece plans to keep its F‑16 fighter jets stationed at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos on a more permanent basis, and Greek naval forces are expected to continue operating in waters claimed by the Republic of Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone, Cypriot media reports. The newspaper Fileleftheros said Nicosia is seeking a sustained Greek air presence as part of expanded defense cooperation. The report said Cypriot officials argue tha…

Cyprus rules out permanent Greek and French troop deployments for now

Cyprus’s Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Monday that no discussions have taken place on making the Greek F-16 fighter jets and frigate Elli permanently based on the island, three months after Greece deployed the forces following Iranian drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri. Vasilis Palmas made the remarks on the sidelines of a handover ceremony for results of entrance examinations for reserve officers of the second intake of 2026. “The F-16s co…