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Audit: Seven Years of Oversight Left Cyprus Vulnerable to Drones

Published January 16, 2026, 07:19
Audit: Seven Years of Oversight Left Cyprus Vulnerable to Drones

An audit report reveals serious failures and shortcomings in the procurement and installation of a drone countermeasures system in Cyprus. The report highlights systemic problems at all stages of the contract, from the preparation of tender documents to the execution of the project. The first tender was cancelled due to lack of funds, while the delay in announcing the second tender led to a loss of two years. The delay in signing the second tender contract was due to appeals, while the project was eventually terminated in April 2025 due to failures in acceptance controls. The Audit Office emphasizes that the tender documents were incomplete, as specific schedules and deliverables were not defined for each phase of the project, leaving the contractor with excessive flexibility. The responsibility for the omissions lies with the contracting authority, which should have had the necessary expertise or hired external consultants. The report states that the total amount of the contract was 2.17 million euros, but after its termination, no additional money was paid beyond the advance payment, which was seized by the Police. Overall, the report demonstrates a long and problematic procurement process, which left Cyprus vulnerable to the threat of drones for several years. Lack of planning and inadequate supervision led to significant delays and ultimately the failure of the project.