Palmas warns no country has ‘absolute protection’ amid drone threats

Defence minister Vasilis Palmas assured on Friday that Cyprus’ operational readiness remains high, yet cautioned that that no nation can guarantee absolute protection amid escalating regional tensions.

Speaking on Sigma TV, Palmas said the republic relies on strong alliances, particularly with Greece and other EU member states.

“Absolute protection does not exist, even in Israel, the most combative country in the world, gaps arise from time to time,” he added.

In regard to the drone incident at RAF Akrotiri, he said the unmanned aerial aircraft “at an altitude of a thousand metres and at a speed of 90 to 100 miles per hour, which is the main reason why it was not detected.”

He stressed the risks to the Cypriot population, saying, “Since the British bases located within our territory are threatened, it is dangerous if a missile or a drone deviates from its course, we must remain vigilant at all times.”

Palmas also highlighted gaps in current air defence capabilities, calling for enhanced drone and anti-drone systems.

“Cyprus’ air defence alone is satisfactory at the anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft level. Where some improvement is needed is in the drone and anti-drone systems,”

The minister reaffirmed the country’s reliance on international cooperation. “We will never become a superpower. We are a small, democratic, modern state that provides the maximum possible protection to its citizens, but on its own and without allies, weaknesses arise,” he concluded.