Palmas says Greek F-16s now have permanent presence in Cyprus

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has said that Greek F-16 fighter jets and a Greek Navy vessel now have a permanent presence in Cyprus, in what appears to mark a shift from his earlier statements that the deployment was temporary. “There is a permanent presence of F16 fighter aircraft while at the same time there is a Greek Navy vessel permanently in Cyprus, ” he said, with Thessaloniki port as the backdrop to his statements. Speaking to Defence Redefined in the city, where he attended Wednesday’s celebrations marking the anniversary of October 28, 1940, Palmas said defence cooperation between Cyprus and Greece had moved “from slogans to political action”. He described cooperation between Athens and Nicosia as excellent at both political and military levels, stressing the close historical and national ties between the two countries.

Palmas also referred to the participation of Cypriot commandos in the Ochi Day military parade, a first, saying their presence carried both symbolic and practical significance, demonstrating the close relationship between the armed forces of the two countries. The minister highlighted bilateral defence agreements and joint programmes, including cooperation under the European Union’s Safe defence financing scheme. Turning to Cyprus’ wider defence partnerships, Palmas referred to cooperation with European countries, including France and Israel, which has become an increasingly important supplier of military equipment to the National Guard. He confirmed that a new contract for the acquisition of an offshore patrol vessel from Israel had been signed on October 26. The agreement involves Israel Shipyards building the new vessel, with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems supplying its naval systems, while the existing Ioannides patrol vessel will also…