Multinational civil-military exercise Argonaut 2026 concludes in Cyprus

The multinational civil-military cooperation exercise 'Argonaut 2026' concluded on Thursday across the maritime, aerial, and land territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Organized by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) and the General Staff of the National Guard, the three-phase exercise focused on testing the national 'Estia' and 'Tefkeros' plans. The scenarios involved the large-scale evacuation and reception of civilians from neighboring conflict zones, as well as search and rescue operations. A total of 16 Cypriot state agencies participated, alongside representatives from 29 nations and two international organizations. The first phase consisted of a tabletop exercise coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the 'Distinguished Visitors Day' at the Zenon Coordination Center in Larnaca, Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas emphasized the importance of regional interoperability. The exercise aimed to improve coordination, evaluate operational procedures, and prepare for humanitarian crises in the Eastern Mediterranean.