Russia’s war in Ukraine affects availability of firefighting helicopters in Cyprus

Sanctions prevented the previously used Russian-owned companies from bidding on a contract

Kamov KA-32A
Kamov KA-32A on standby at Loulé heliport in Portugal. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the Republic of Cyprus having difficulty in contracting for firefighting helicopters.

During the past two years the government’s Forestry Department has leased two Russian-owned Kamov Ka-27 helicopters, but the sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union mean that source is not available for the coming wildfire season. The only bid submitted did not meet the criteria.

The helicopters had been based at Paphos Airport.

The Forestry Department is working with the Tender Board to possibly negotiate with another vendor that had previously showed interest. In the meantime the agency is working toward the purchase of two helicopters.

In July of 2021 Cyprus suffered their deadliest wildfire in decades. Pushed by strong winds, it swept through the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range during a severe heat wave. The blaze killed four Egyptian workers, destroyed 50 homes, damaged farms and power lines, and forced the evacuation of 10 villages. Greece and Israel each deployed two aircraft, one helicopter came from a nearby UK base, and Cyprus had 11 of their own aircraft working on the fire.

Israel sends air tankers to Cyprus to assist with outbreak of wildfires

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Above: three Israeli single engine air tankers have arrived in Cyprus to assist firefighters. Photo by Israel Foreign Ministry.

The government of Israel sent three single engine air tankers (SEATs) and a support aircraft to assist Cyprus in suppressing large fires near Paphos and Evrychou. Cyprus has also asked Greece for assistance.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said at his Sunday Cabinet meeting:

Several years ago, during the massive [2010] Carmel fire, I contacted the President of Cyprus, he was the first I turned to, and the Prime Minister of Greece, that they should send firefighting aircraft. They had one such aircraft. They took it out of its hangar and sent it here. Last night I ordered that three of our firefighting aircraft, out of our fleet of 13 or 14, be sent to help them, and the planes are now in Cyprus. This is part of the regional arrangement we have made with Cyprus and Greece about emergency assistance. I am pleased that we are able to extend this assistance.

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