Palmas: The Cypriot defence industry is gaining ground

The Cypriot defence industry has reached the point where it can produce products to strengthen both the country's defense and other services in the wider spectrum of the Republic of Cyprus, Minister of Defence Vassilis Palmas has said.

He was speaking on 25 February after the first session of the newly established Defence Industry Council, at the Presidential Palace, which took place under the President of the Republic.

The Minister also mentioned that Cyprus has submitted a proposal regarding the strengthening of the European Union's defence.

In his statements after the meeting, the Minister of Defence stated that the Council convened under the President of the Republic, with a set agenda.

"We discussed the various issues that concern the defence policy industry, exchanged views and defined short-term, medium-term and long-term goals," Palmas said.

It is a realisation for all of us, he continued, "that things have matured to such an extent that we can be proud that the Cyprus Defense Industry can produce products to strengthen both the country's defence, but also other services, state and others in the broader spectrum of the Republic of Cyprus."

"We believe that this government decision to establish this advisory body called the Defence Industry Council will contribute to the knowledge and experience we need to give that further boost that the defence industry needs and to move from theory to practice and to be in a position, as a Ministry of Defence, to go from a Ministry that spends resources from the state budget to a ministry that will now contribute to the country's gross domestic product with the development of the Cypriot defence industry," he added.

In response to a journalist's question, Palmas said that the defence industry is the industry that operates and produces products that can contribute to the defence of the country.

"These can range from software programmes, from drones to other military equipment which, under specific conditions, either through collaborations or autonomously, Cypriot industries can produce and contribute to the National Guard," he noted.

Responding to another question, Palmas said that there are now several companies in Cyprus, scattered throughout the territory, which can directly produce products that contribute to the armament programmes of the Republic of Cyprus.

When asked about the 24 February statements by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that she will present before the leaders of the member states on 6 March a comprehensive plan for upgrading the production and capabilities of the European defence industry and whether Cyprus can contribute to this effort, the Minister said that "Cyprus can contribute."

Palmas also said that Cyprus is one of the countries that submitted a proposal "in this direction that the Council of Heads of State and Government of the European Union is meeting to finally look at the issues concerning the strengthening of the European Union's defence in a more concrete and clearer way."

Moreover, in its announcement, the Ministry of Defence notes that the establishment of the Cyprus Defence Industry Council (CDIC), by decision of the Council of Ministers on 15 January, 2025, "constitutes an important step towards the development and strengthening of the Defence Industry sector of Cyprus."

It is noted that, during the Council meeting, a presentation was made of its members and subsequently the data and capabilities of the domestic Defence Industry were discussed.

The President of the Republic was informed about the actions that have been undertaken and future ones that have been planned, with the aim of strengthening the Cypriot Defence Industry "and listened with interest to the suggestions and proposals of the members of the Council on ways to align the industry with national goals in the fields of defence and security," it is added.

As reported, the Council "committed" to working towards the formation of a comprehensive policy framework that will practically strengthen the country's defence industry, aiming at the medium and long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the sector, as well as reducing the National Guard's supply dependence on foreign companies.

(Source: InBusinessNews)