Cyprus increases permanent contract NCO positions to 400

Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas announced that the number of permanent contract non-commissioned officer (NCO) positions within the National Guard has been increased from 250 to 400. This decision, reached in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, falls within the existing budgetary framework of the Ministry of Defence. The move was finalized as Minister Palmas received the written examination results from Education Minister Athena Kyriakidou in the presence of National Guard Chief Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou. The increase was driven by high candidate interest, operational requirements linked to the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism, and the objective to improve the National Guard's combat readiness. Additionally, Minister Palmas clarified that while 400 spots are currently allocated for this transition, further examinations for new contract soldiers will be held in the near future. Applications for new contract soldiers are open until July 13, 2026.