Limassol: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, announced on Monday that ongoing collaborations with the defence industry in Cyprus aim to enable the export of defence equipment to third-party countries. This statement was made during his visit to the Limassol Conscript Training Centre in celebration of the Easter holidays, where he reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing Cyprus' deterrence capabilities.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President emphasized the significant role of the National Guard's 3rd Support Brigade in strengthening the country's deterrence power. He highlighted the brigade's involvement in humanitarian aid initiatives through the 'Amaltheia' humanitarian corridor, underscoring Cyprus' position as a security and stability pillar in the region.
The President also addressed efforts to improve employment conditions for National Guard contract personnel, aligning with the broader objective of transforming the National Guard into a professional entity. He noted the participation of National Guard officers in training sessions in the USA as part of this initiative.
During his remarks, President Christodoulides reflected on his recent visits to the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. He mentioned that essential upgrades at these facilities are underway, emphasizing that the comprehensive modernization of the National Guard is a strategic goal in response to emerging challenges and opportunities in the region.