Cyprus Mail 20 Octrober 2022 - by Nikolaos Prakas
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| Photo: Christos Theodorides |
Cyprus has already bought new helicopters for the National Guard and has made defence agreements with more than 15 countries, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Thursday.
Speaking at a military exercise in the Kalo Choriou shooting range, Petrides said: We are moving forward with joint training both in Cyprus and abroad and we are clearly outward looking. We have signed agreements with more than 15 countries and the National Guard gives its personnel what they ask for, joint training and new experiences.”
He added that this was the direction they were moving at, with the National Guard continuing to ensure the integrity of the Republic.
Commenting on the equipment programme the military is running, Petrides said that they were focused on implementing it, since several agreements have been signed.
The minister added that they had already moved forward with the installation of the Green Line electronic monitoring system, “which is progressing at a rapid pace.”
“We have already made the new purchases of the helicopters, but we have also made some contracts which are not to be made public,” he said.
He added that national security issues should not be discussed publicly.
Also speaking at the exercise named ‘IRIS 2022’, the General of the National Guard Democritos Zervakis thanked the staff for the exercise.
“We have shown our capabilities, we have shown that we know what we are capable of, and the Cypriot people can rest easily at night and be proud of its National Guard,” he said.
He added that they are ready to deal with whatever may come.
