New National Guard weapons systems will be presented during Thursday’s military parade marking the 66th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, alongside representatives of the armed forces of Greece, the United States, France, Egypt and the United Kingdom.
The parade will include the BARAK MX air defence system, unmanned surface and aerial systems and several aircraft. Members of the public in Nicosia saw some of the preparations during Tuesday’s final rehearsal.
BARAK MX to appear for first time
Part of the BARAK MX medium and long-range air defence system will be presented in a military parade for the first time.
The Israeli-made system joined the National Guard’s arsenal last year and is already operational in Cyprus. It is designed to provide multi-layered protection against different types of threats.
An unmanned surface vessel will also be presented, with its operational capabilities intended to strengthen the effectiveness of the National Guard’s naval forces.
Three specially configured vehicles supporting the National Guard’s developing first-person view small unmanned aerial systems capability will also feature.
The first is designed to transport and provide operational support for FPV systems used in intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions.
The second provides similar transport and operational support but also carries a command-and-control station, allowing deeper missions to be supported.
The third is a mobile sUAV FPV production laboratory, carrying equipment needed to manufacture and technically support unmanned systems in an operational environment.
The capability is linked to the National Guard’s production laboratory, which has been fully operational since July 2026.
US and French troops to participate
A US contingent of Marines and sailors from the destroyer USS Roosevelt will participate in the parade, representing the US armed forces.
A contingent of French Marines will also take part, alongside representatives of the British armed forces and Egyptian military police.
F-16 Vipers expected over Nicosia
Aircraft flyovers are also expected during the parade.
Alongside the National Guard’s Airbus H145M, AgustaWestland AW139 and Bell helicopters, Greek F-16 Viper fighter jets are expected to fly over the event.
The Greek jets flew over Nicosia during Tuesday’s rehearsal.
An Egyptian Air Force CN-295 CASA transport aircraft, which also participated in the rehearsal, is expected to conduct a flyover during the parade.
A British CH-47 Chinook helicopter currently in Cyprus may also participate.
Warships open to visitors in Larnaca
The Hellenic Navy frigate Nikiforos Fokas (F-466) will be at Larnaca Port for the independence anniversary.
It will be joined by the National Guard warship PATH Ioannidis, with both vessels open to members of the public.
