Parliamentary review launched into expired Egyptian hand grenades used by National Guard

The Defense Committee of the Cypriot Parliament has initiated a review regarding the safety of ammunition used by the National Guard, specifically focusing on Egyptian-made DG 270/2 hand grenades. This follows reports that the military supplied grenades beyond their ten-year shelf life to the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK). The issue gained renewed attention after legal proceedings began in Athens involving a 25-year-old former soldier who suffered severe injuries, including the amputation of his right hand and the subsequent loss of his right eye, following an explosion during training at Stavrovouni on February 21, 2024.

Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas declined to comment on the incident or the quality of the munitions, citing the ongoing litigation in Greece where the soldier is seeking substantial damages from the Greek state. Records indicate the National Guard procured 75,000 of these grenades under a 2008 contract that specified a ten-year lifespan. Parliamentary Defense Committee Chairman Efgenios Champoullas has formally requested all relevant meeting minutes and data to investigate why these munitions remained in use.

The committee plans to scrutinize past parliamentary discussions on the matter to determine how such hazardous equipment remained in circulation. The legal case against the Greek government continues in the Administrative Court of Athens, while the parliamentary oversight process in Cyprus is now underway to address systemic safety concerns.