Nicosia: Cyprus’ defence industry has made significant progress in recent years, demonstrating its capabilities, knowledge, and growth potential, according to Minister of Defence Vasilis Palmas. Speaking at a conference organized by the Ministry of Defence in Nicosia, Palmas emphasized the government’s efforts to support the local defence industry through appropriate structures and policies to facilitate access to funding programmes and international cooperation.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Palmas highlighted the importance of the active participation of Cypriot companies and research institutions in the defence sector. He noted that Cyprus, as a member of the European Union and situated in a geopolitically unstable region, must invest in strengthening its defence capabilities. Palmas also emphasized Cyprus’ clear stance on the development and promotion of medium-sized defence industry enterprises during the recent Council of EU Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels.
At the conference, the Ministry’s Defence Director, Panayiotis Hadjipavlis, discussed new developments in research, innovation, and the defence industry, along with the European Defence Fund programme for 2025. He stated that the Ministry of Defence is intensifying efforts to strengthen the local ecosystem and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The Ministry’s investments in research and innovation are increasing annually to support these efforts.
Hadjipavlis expressed the goal for Cypriot defence systems production companies to supply the National Guard with technologically advanced systems and subsystems. He highlighted ongoing projects, including joint ventures with Cypriot research centers and enterprises under the Athena action, which began in 2019. The Ministry plans to fund these projects with approximately £900,000.
Furthermore, Hadjipavlis noted the progress of three proposals within the European Defence Industrial Development Programme and 20 proposals supported by the European Defence Fund, all securing funding. An additional 19 projects have been selected for European Commission funding. The Ministry’s contribution to approved projects within the European Defence Fund is estimated at around £2.3 million.
In the realm of dual-use technologies, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Research and Innovation Foundation, is implementing six research projects and upgrading laboratories across Cyprus, with approximately £3 million drawn from the EU Recovery Facility.