Naval vessels open to the public in Larnaca for Independence Day

On October 1, 2026, the port of Larnaca opened its gates to the public to mark the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus. The initiative featured two key naval vessels: the offshore patrol vessel 'Ioannidis' of the Cyprus National Guard and the Greek Navy frigate 'Nikiforos Fokas'. Visitors were granted access in two time slots, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00, allowing them to tour the ships and learn about their maritime capabilities.

Large crowds gathered at the port to observe the vessels, reflecting significant public interest in the event, which aimed to strengthen ties between the armed forces and the local community. The National Guard emphasized that strict security protocols and mandatory screenings were enforced for all visitors upon entering the port area. The 'Ioannidis', a Saar 4.5 class vessel built in Israel and integrated into the Cypriot fleet in 2018, joined the 'Nikiforos Fokas' (F-466) in this celebratory display. The exhibition concluded successfully on the day of the national holiday, with no further public visitation windows reported after the evening deadline.