Evangelos Florakis Naval Base


The Evangelos Florakis Naval Base is a Cyprus Navy base, situated on the island's southern coast adjacent to the Vasilikos industrial area and power plant, near Zygi, between Limassol and Larnaca.

Operations

Prior to 11 July 2011, it was the main location of the Command of the Navy Base and one of the five primary commands of the Navy. It was responsible for overseeing all naval shore installations, facilities and associated personnel. The Command's current status is unclear.

Expansion

As a component of the EU's joint military development program, Cyprus designed various upgrades in its defense infrastructure. 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. According to news outlets, a new docking area will be build to allow larger warships to dock.

Renaming

The base is honorably 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. Prior to being renamed, it was well known for decades as the Mari Naval Base.

Incidents

On 11 July 2011 an explosion took place at the base. The Commander of the Naval Base, Lambros Lambrou and the head of the Cyprus Navy, Naval Commander Andreas Ioannides, were both killed in the accident.