The Cypriot government has formally approved a comprehensive list of armaments it intends to acquire through a landmark European Union defence initiative, framing the move as a critical step towards bolstering the nation's security. The Cabinet, following a meeting on Thursday, greenlit the procurement plan under the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, with a formal submission to the European Commission scheduled for November 30. The initiative unlocks access to a substantial €1.2 billion in long-term, low-cost loans for the Republic of Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, in announcing the decision, was unequivocal about the nature of the planned acquisitions. He explicitly stated that all systems on the list are exclusively for defensive purposes, a point he reiterated to pre-empt any potential criticism. “Under no circumstances do the armaments programmes on the list concern weapons systems with an offensive posture,” Palmas asserted. “They are purely for defensive purposes.” The Minister situated this significant defence investment within a poignant national context, reminding the public that “Cyprus is an occupied country for the last 51 years.” This historical reality underscores the government's position that modernising its defensive capabilities is a sovereign imperative. The SAFE programme itself was established by the EU in direct response to the geopolitical shifts following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aiming to facilitate common procurements and strengthen European defensive resilience. While Minister Palmas declined to specify the exact equipment on the list “for obvious reasons” of operational security, he indicated a strategic approach to procurement. Contrary to speculation focusing on major European defence manufacturers, he noted, “Not only France and Germany, there are other countries with which we can jointly produce armaments.” This suggests Cyprus will leverage partnerships across the programme’s wide eligibility base, which includes EU member states, Ukraine, and several allied nations. The immediate next step is the submission of the national investment plan to Brussels. The European Commission will subsequently assess all member-state proposals, with the first disbursements of funds not expected until early 2026. Domestically, the drawn-down loans will then be integrated into the annual state budget through a process involving the Ministries of Defence and Finance, requiring final approval from the Cypriot Parliament. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Cyprus's efforts to systematically enhance its defensive posture through a collaborative European framework.