Cypriot defence industry companies are entering the effort to strengthen the National Guard, with their products set to participate in the armed forces’ technological upgrade through the SAFE programme.
MPs requested detailed briefing from the Defence Ministry today during the House Defence Committee session about Cyprus’s list sent to the European Commission regarding the five-year National Guard upgrade plan, with significant moves under way to upgrade the military technologically and qualitatively.
Drones and UAVs at all levels
The Ukraine war serves as an example for technologies the military must develop and deploy to meet heightened modern battlefield requirements, with both the attacking and defending countries using these technologies extensively in all operational actions.
Following Limassol-based company Swarmly Aero’s addition of Cypriot unmanned aircraft to artillery strength, all army corps will follow the same path at all command levels.
The Defence Ministry and National Guard General Staff want all levels equipped, from Brigades down to Companies and platoons, with either fixed-wing UAVs or smaller quadcopter drones.
This action will not involve just one UAV or drone type but various forms serving different missions, according to philenews sources. The National Guard also plans to equip with unmanned surface vessels (USV) for the Naval Command.
French APCs
The condition of both the National Guard’s armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles raises concerns over their age and maintenance difficulties, as previously reported.
Cyprus wants to equip via SAFE with French wheeled armoured personnel carriers that will have heavy weapons and can meet infantry fighting vehicle specifications.
Two options appear on the list, both from French industry. Cyprus maintains a tradition of French-origin armoured equipment, and the choice of the French market is not coincidental.
Paphos and Mari bases
A negative development has emerged regarding the Republic’s request to upgrade the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari.
The upgrade of both bases was rejected by the European Commission as they do not meet SAFE programme criteria, according to what was heard in Parliament.
The Defence Ministry is now called to replenish the SAFE list, either by adding new weapons systems for acquisition or by increasing the number of existing products it has requested.
Cyprus-UK defence industry conference
The Defence Ministry announced the Cyprus-UK Defence Industry Conference was completed on 8-9 December 2025 at the Cyprus High Commission in London.
The event brought together significant representatives from the Cyprus and UK Defence Ministries, as well as numerous companies and bodies from both countries’ defence industries. The Cypriot defence industry’s capabilities and prospects were presented, and prospects for further cooperation, investment and innovation in defence and security were discussed.
Particular emphasis was placed on cutting-edge sectors including cyber defence, unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, space and communications, with presentations and meetings held between Cypriot and British companies.
Read more:
