The EU SAFE allocation will be used to strengthen equipment and address National Guard requirements across key facilities.

A cross-sector collaboration between the National Guard’s technical department and private industry is central to achieving exporting goals, framed by Cyprus’s geostrategic context and division.

Cyprus will tap the EU’s SAFE instrument to secure about €1.2 billion for defence needs, funding equipment upgrades and base improvements at Paphos and Evangelos Florakis.

As part of professionalization efforts, contract soldiers’ employment conditions will improve and National Guard personnel will participate in international training programs, including opportunities tied to U.S. training.

Significant upgrades are planned for the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis naval base to enhance overall defence capacity.

During a visit to Limassol’s KEN training camp, the President underscored the National Guard’s role in deterrence and humanitarian missions, including its involvement in the Amalthea corridor.

Officials tie security upgrades to Cyprus’s strategic position amid ongoing division and Turkey’s presence, noting progress will continue beyond public announcements.

President to bolster Cyprus' deterrence by strengthening the National Guard and deepening ties with the domestic defence industry, aiming to transform Cyprus into a defence equipment exporter through collaboration with local producers and exports to other countries.

Cabinet decisions target a 15% share of defence purchases from third countries to be fulfilled by Cypriot companies, promoting local industry involvement.

Concrete steps are underway to strengthen deterrence and upgrade the National Guard, including professionalizing contracted troops and expanding participation in U.S. training programs.

The government envisions not only importing defence equipment but also exporting to third countries, signaling a shift toward building domestic capability and export potential.

Private sector collaboration remains key to developing domestic defence capabilities, with the cabinet mandating that Cypriot firms participate in 15% of third-country defence procurements.