New NOTAMs issued by the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) reveal that from 7-9 October small tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) will conduct beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) patrols over three sea corridors off the south and east coasts. The drones will fly up to 2,000 ft under transponder code 0047 and will be in constant contact with Larnaca and Paphos air-traffic control. The operation, codenamed ‘Area 4 Maritime Shield’, is part of a pilot programme funded by the EU Border Management and Visa Instrument. Equipped with thermal sensors and AI-powered image recognition, the fixed-wing drones can remain aloft for eight hours and transmit real-time video to the JRCC and the police coastal surveillance centre at Zygi. Authorities say the aim is to detect migrant boats attempting to circumvent radar by hugging shipping lanes or approaching at night. The drones also provide situational awareness for Search-and-Rescue (SAR) incidents and can relay coordinates directly to patrol vessels. For civil aviation, the NOTAM establishes segregated airspace during daylight hours; commercial flights into Larnaca may be rerouted a few nautical miles seaward, but Hermes Airports expects “minimal impact” on schedules. Yacht charter companies, however, have advised skippers to file updated routes through the Cyprus PORTnet system to avoid infringement fines. The trial comes ahead of Cyprus’ planned accession to the Schengen Area, where integrated border-surveillance capabilities are a prerequisite. If successful, the drone network will become permanent and could be expanded to monitor the UN-controlled buffer zone on the island’s north-south divide.
Source: Cyprus JRCC NOTAM A1087/26
