In an effort to combat potential forest fires during the upcoming summer season, Jordan has stationed two helicopters in Cyprus. The Mediterranean island nation is taking steps to purchase 10 aircraft for firefighting and prevention. The Cypriot Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou expressed gratitude towards the 18 Royal Jordanian Air Force crew members, pilots, and technical staff who will join local efforts in aerial firefighting.
The Jordanian crew will undergo training to adapt to local conditions and become operationally ready within days. They will augment Cyprus’ existing fleet of firefighting aircraft, which includes helicopters from the police and National Guard, along with military bases maintained by the UK.
This deployment follows a proposal for a regional firefighting hub in Cyprus. Jordan’s King Abdullah II had previously offered to station firefighting aircraft on the island. The partnership between Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, and Israel highlights the collaborative efforts in combating wildfires in the region.