Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’s defence ministry signed an agreement with Slovak company HELI to lease four Black Hawk helicopters for the firefighting season. The lease runs from April 1 to October 31, with a possible 30-day extension if operational needs arise.
Lease agreement and operational timeline
Defence director Panayiotis Symeou and HELI managing director Dzurus Josef formalised the deal on Friday. The ministry said the additional aircraft will bolster Cyprus’s aerial firefighting capabilities.
Aircraft capabilities and staffing
Each helicopter will be equipped with a rapid-fill tank capable of holding 4,500 litres of water or fire-retardant foam, refillable in 45 seconds. The helicopters will come with experienced pilots and mechanics, increasing the republic’s fleet to a total of 11 aircraft by May.
Preparedness measures and identified gaps
The ministry said it continues to strengthen preparedness and effective response through aerial firefighting resources, taking operational requirements into account. Fire Chief Nikos Longinos has highlighted persistent gaps in evacuation planning, fire safety compliance, and aerial capacity, particularly in rural areas.
Rural coverage concerns and interim capacity
Longinos warned that some villages remain distant from staffed stations, leaving communities vulnerable during evening fires. “By the time a fire truck arrives, we will lose a house or something else,” he said, citing ongoing structural weaknesses in coverage and enforcement. Longinos confirmed the leased helicopters will arrive on April 1, closing temporary gaps caused by two forestry aircraft being out of service.
Ground firefighting resources and prevention efforts
The ministry and forestry department said they have expanded ground capacity to 606 forest firefighters, added 100 recruits over the past two years, and introduced controlled burning and grazing to reduce fuel loads.
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