The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Niκos Christodoulides, receives the salute of the military parade on the occasion of Cyprus Independence Day.
The Cyprus National Guard has been placed on high alert following the reported disappearance of 13 kilograms (28 pounds) of TNT. According to Kathimerini Cyprus, the missing explosives were noticed during an Engineering Corps exercise at the Kalo Chorio firing range.
The Cyprus Police have been formally notified of the incident. Politis reports that the situation is being treated with the utmost gravity; the Chief of the National Guard arrived at the scene immediately to personally oversee the ongoing investigation.
Military officials are currently investigating two primary scenarios:
- The explosive material was intentionally removed or stolen.
- The material was detonated during the exercise, but was not properly documented in the logs.
As a precaution, a secondary exercise scheduled for this morning (January 30) was postponed until the investigation provides a full account of the missing ordnance.
Modernization of the Cyprus National Guard
The Cyprus National Guard is a conscript-based force, and relies on a mandatory service period for Cypriot males, supplemented by a professional cadre of officers and a growing number of “Contracted Soldiers” (SYOP).
In recent years, it has undergone a significant structural transformation, pivoting from a traditional defensive posture to a more flexible and technologically advanced force.
This modernization effort includes the acquisition of sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, advanced surveillance drones, and the upgrading of its naval capabilities to protect the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and vital energy interests.
Related: Cyprus Assumes EU Presidency, Prioritizing Security and Regional Engagement
