Cyprus to celebrate independence with expanded military parade

The Republic of Cyprus will mark the 66th anniversary of its independence on October 1 with an expanded military parade held on Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue in Nicosia, scheduled to commence at 11:00 am. This year’s event features an increased number of marching units and a significant display of advanced military equipment, reflecting strengthened international cooperation and domestic defense capabilities.

Key highlights include the participation of a military contingent from Egypt and aerial maneuvers involving a pair of Greek F-16 fighter jets based at Andreas Papandreou airbase, alongside an Egyptian Air Force Airbus C295 transport aircraft. For the first time, the National Guard will showcase the Barak MX anti-aircraft system, a major acquisition for the island’s air defense. Furthermore, the parade will debut a dedicated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit, featuring locally developed surveillance drones and a mobile field production unit designed to enhance field maintenance and operational autonomy.

Participants in the parade include National Guard personnel, police, fire service, civil defense, and other state entities. Rehearsals for the event took place on Tuesday, with local authorities finalizing preparations to showcase both international partnerships and the progress of the Cypriot defense industry.