The upgrades are planned to be completed within 18 months and aim to bolster Cyprus' strategic infrastructure while ensuring that both bases remain under Cypriot control.

[1] As a component of the EU's joint military development program (PESCO), Cyprus designed various upgrades in its defense infrastructure.

[2] In 2019 serving Cypriot Defense Minister Savvas Angelides signed a letter of intent with his French counterpart Florence Parly.

Speaking at a news conference, he said the expansion of the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base was linked to a military cooperation deal with EU partner states such as France.

It was renamed after Lt. General Evangelos Florakis, who was killed in a helicopter crash in July 2002 while serving as the head of the Cypriot National Guard.