Cyprus is expected to receive its first tranche of funds from the EU’s SAFE defence programme in the second half of 2026, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Tuesday at the Limassol Recruit Training Centre.
Asked about the Ministry’s plans regarding SAFE, Palmas recalled that Cyprus has been allocated €1.18 billion through a long-term loan on favourable terms, in order to strengthen its defence capabilities and the Cypriot defence industry.
He said the first drawdown of funds under SAFE would take place in the second half of 2026, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, so that the amount drawn would allow Cyprus to maintain the necessary fiscal balance in terms of GDP and public debt, while strengthening the National Guard.
Palmas added that a list of defence procurement programmes had been submitted to the European Commission, based on the needs of the National Guard General Staff and the priorities set by the Chief of the National Guard, the Armaments Directorate and staff officers. He said he could not disclose the contents of the list for obvious reasons.
On prospects for acquiring defence equipment from the United States, the Minister said this stemmed from the “excellent political relationship” developed between the Republic of Cyprus and the US.
He said there were programmes involving US partners, namely friendly and allied states, which have surplus military equipment available for countries eligible under this category.
Palmas stressed, however, that “it is not an end in itself for us to receive equipment we may not need because it comes from the US.” If the National Guard General Staff considers certain items suitable, he said, Cypriot officials would visit an exhibition of surplus military equipment in the US to select material for Cyprus. Otherwise, he added, Cyprus would proceed with the next option under these programmes.
Source: CNA
