New weapons, US and France at Cyprus parade

Cyprus marked its independence day on Thursday with a major parade that included its armed and civil defence forces, new weapons systems, as well as units from foreign armies cooperating in regional security. Justifying the annual display of its military capability, President Nikos Christodoulides said, “upgrading our deterrent capability is a top priority” and that it will continue, as long as there is Turkish occupation of the island’s northern part since 1974. “We will never abandon the struggle for the liberation and reunification of our homeland,” he added after the parade in the southern outskirts of the capital Nicosia. “Throughout its 66-year existence, and despite the wounds inflicted by Turkish aggression and the ongoing occupation, the Republic of Cyprus has proven that it possesses the resilience to move forward with security and self-confidence. “Today, we renew our pledge never to accept the faits accomplis of illegality and to continue the struggle until we can move freely across the entire territory of the Republic of Cyprus.” Christodoulides said the efforts are focused in two directions – at home and abroad. “Internally, we are building a strong competitive economy to face the challenges of inflation and spiralling costs, by investing in health, housing, infrastructure and social welfare. “On the international stage, all recognise the role of Cyprus in an area of special geostrategic importance and within this context, our country’s stature is also being elevated.” “I welcome the presence of foreign military contingents from France, the United States, Britain and Egypt. Their presence here is a testament to the partnerships of the Republic of Cyprus and an indication of our country’s elevated standing.” Heading the foreign units was a military police contingent from Egypt , accompanied by a flypast of an Egyptian Air Force transport aircraft. They were followed by a French marine unit, a British Army unit and a flyover by a Royal Navy Chinook used in search and rescue operations in the eastern Mediterranean. Next were US Marines and sailors from the destroyer USS Roosevelt. Also taking part in the parade were soldiers and armed vehicles from the Greek Army contingent based in Cyprus (Eldyk) and a pair of Greek Air Force F-16 Viper fighter jets that are based at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos. The Greek National Defence Minister Nicos Dendias was also present at the parade. Equipment upgrade Christodoulides also mentioned the equipment upgrade of the National Guard. “We are proud of the National Guard, constantly modernising our defense forces, upgrading our infrastructure — including our naval and air infrastructure — and fully leveraging crucial European tools.” These include a recently established native defence industry, supported by the EU’s SAFE programme, that have developed FPV (first person view) drones for surveillance, reconnaissance and small strike missions with a 50k range. Cyprus-based Swarmly Aero introduced the Poseidon H-10 unmanned aircraft that joined the National Guard last November, while the Naval Command showed its newly acquired uncrewed surface vessel. New imports include the Israeli -made Barak-MX medium and long-range air defence system, and the H145 helicopters by Airbus. The parade ended with mobile units from the police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, the Forestry Department and the Health Services. The post New weapons, US and France at Cyprus parade appeared first on Financial Mirror .