Cyprus to debut Israeli-made Barak MX air defence system at October 1 parade

The Republic of Cyprus will publicly showcase its newly acquired Israeli-made Barak MX air defence system during the military parade marking Independence Day on October 1. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas confirmed that the parade will be upgraded, highlighting the new system as a key component in the modernization of the National Guard’s air defence capabilities. The equipment is intended to replace older Soviet-era systems, providing interception capabilities against fighters, helicopters, drones, and various missile types at ranges up to 150 kilometers.

Greece will be represented by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, and the event will feature a contingent from the Egyptian armed forces, alongside units from other allied countries. The Barak MX, which was acquired in a deal conducted under high secrecy, has already been integrated into the National Guard’s Air Force Command, with footage of the system recently released for the first time.

Looking ahead, Minister Palmas is scheduled to travel to Cairo to strengthen trilateral relations with Greece and Egypt, focusing on joint training and exercise protocols. These developments occur amid rising tensions, as the Minister addressed ongoing concerns regarding Turkish violations of the Nicosia flight information region and reported harassment of Greek aircraft.