Cyprus secures four Black Hawk helicopters ahead of firefighting season

The defence ministry signed an agreement with Slovak company HELI on Fridayto lease four Black Hawk helicopters for the firefighting season.

Defence director, Panayiotis Symeou and HELI managing director, Dzurus Josef, formalised the deal, which runs from April 1 to October 31, with a 30-day extension possible if operational needs arise.

The helicopters will bolster Cyprus’s aerial firefighting capabilities, with each aircraft being equipped with a rapid-fill tank capable of holding 4,500 litres of water or fire-retardant foam, refillable in 45 seconds.

The Slovak helicopters come with experienced pilots and mechanics, enhancing the republic’s fleet to a total of 11 aircraft by May.

The ministry assured that 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.

He 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,” Longinos 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.

The ministry and forestry department 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.

Drones and upgraded meteorological tools will provide early warnings, while specialised foreign teams will train personnel in fire investigation from May.