Larnaca: A bilateral Cyprus-Greece search and rescue (SAR) exercise, named "Salamis -01/26", was held on Sunday, in which the frigate "Kimon" also participated.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) announced in a press release that the exercise took place within the Search and Rescue Area of Responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus. The event featured participation from the Hellenic Navy's frigate "Kimon", a helicopter from the 460th Search and Rescue Squadron of the National Guard, and a helicopter from the Police Air Operations Unit.
The JRCC emphasized that the exercise was coordinated in collaboration with the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the General Staff of the National Guard. This coordination falls under the existing Interstate Agreement on SAR between Cyprus and Greece, which is designed to enhance SAR services in the eastern Mediterranean.
The frigate "Kimon", along with another Greek frigate "Psara", arrived off the coast of Cyprus earlier this week. This arrival followed an incident at the British Base in Akrotiri, located at the southern tip of Cyprus, amid ongoing regional unrest. Greece is among several EU member states contributing warships, aircraft, and air defense assets to bolster Cyprus' security.