He may no longer be the POTUS but former President Joe Biden’s impact is still being seen. Air Force Base Cyprus is getting an upgrade to make the area safer for U.S. troops operating out of the installation. While the island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea may be small, its location is of strategic importance in the region as well as the Middle East. The deal also allows the Republic of Cyprus to purchase U.S. weapons to improve its defenses.

Air Force Base Cyprus Is Getting Safety Upgrades

When you think of military bases used by the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Base Cyprus might not be the first on your list; however, it has seen a growing importance in recent years due to evolving American interests in the region.

Experts continue to find ways to improve infrastructure to make a Cyprus Air Base (Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base) a reality while expanding in the area.

The location of Cyprus is intriguing as it’s near Beirut, Lebanon, and around 240 to 360 miles from Gaza.

This is of growing importance as the U.S. and its allies continue to operate through humanitarian efforts due to the conflicts stemming from Hamas attacking Israel.

Leading the efforts to upgrade the facilities is the 435th Contingency Response Group from Ramstein, Germany, which is working to find out what is needed to upgrade the installation for the U.S. and its allies adequately.

Better Tech = Better Safety

On an island working with limited space, you can find the Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base near Cyprus's second-largest civilian airport. It's here that Airmen will work to upgrade air traffic safety features and efficiency.

This includes installing advanced radar systems to ensure safe operations for both civilian and military aircraft, as well as expanding the base and runway to accommodate more transport and fighter planes. Hardened shelters for aircraft protection are also planned.

The Cyprus government approved the assessment after U.S. Marines, equipped with V-22 Ospreys, used the base as a standby point for potential evacuations during the 2024 evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon.

Prior Government Approval

While the U.S. has access to the Air Force Base in Cyprus, the use of the facility will still be pending approval from the Cypriot government.

“We’ve shown interest in working with (the U.S.) because we consider this to serve the vital interests of the Cyprus Republic,” said government spokesman Yannis Antoniou.

Furthermore, there is still some debate about how much each government will pay for the upgrades, though the experts working on the upgrades will provide such figures.

Use by other nations would also require approval, and the Air Force Base in Cyprus cannot be used for military strike operations in the region.

Air Force Base in Cyprus Deal Possible Due to Years of Progress

Bilateral relations between Cyprus and the U.S. have strengthened in recent years, due to efforts from President Nikos Christodoulides.

A key deal during the Biden administration is allowing Cyprus to purchase U.S. military equipment, enabling the Cypriot National Guard to modernize and align with its Western allies.

This shift ended a decades-long arms embargo and reduced reliance on arms from enemies and rival nations of the United States.

Cyprus is now exploring defense deals with the U.S., Israel, and France, focusing on air defenses, tanks, and helicopters to enhance its Eastern Mediterranean security. The Air Force Base Cyprus upgrades will further help the nation reach these goals.

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