Cyprus marks 66th independence anniversary with military parade

On October 1, 2026, Cyprus marked the 66th anniversary of its independence with a significant military parade on Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue in Nicosia. President Nikos Christodoulides, alongside Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and other high-ranking officials, reviewed the units. The display featured a mix of National Guard forces, police, fire, and civil defense units, as well as marching contingents from Egypt, Britain, France, and the United States.

The event highlighted the National Guard’s ongoing modernization, notably with the public debut of the Israeli-made Barak MX air and missile defense system. Other notable displays included new FPV drone support vehicles and a formation of Airbus H145M helicopters. Two Greek F-16 Viper fighter jets performed a low-altitude flyby, and an Egyptian C-295 transport aircraft also took part. President Christodoulides emphasized that strengthening deterrent capabilities remains a top national priority given the ongoing Turkish occupation. Conversely, the Turkish Ministry of Defence criticized the parade, labeling the military cooperation and hardware upgrades as factors that increase regional tension.