Cypriot defence and dual-use companies have attracted about €48 million in direct funding, strengthening their technological capabilities, product development and industrial capacity, while helping establish Cyprus as “a reliable and credible co-producer within Europe’s defence supply chain,” President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.
Addressing the opening of the 3rd International Defence and Security Conference “Battlefield ReDEFiNED 2026”, held under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the President said the past five years have seen “remarkable growth and resilience” in the sector.
The conference is organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises and C.D. Multimedia Services Ltd at Pavilion Hall in Nicosia.
The President noted that with the support of the Ministry of Defence, 18 Cypriot companies have secured participation in 44 European Defence Industrial Development Programmes and European Defence Fund projects, with a combined total project budget of approximately €600 million dedicated to next-generation European defence systems.
“We live in turbulent times,” President Christodoulides said, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the wider region, which he said “underscore the fragility of peace” and highlight the “critical importance of preparedness.”
Referring to Cyprus, he added that the country, “still suffering from Turkish military occupation, recognizes the defense industry’s vital role in enhancing our deterrence capabilities and fortifying our country’s role in regional and European security.”
He said Europe must strengthen resilience while remaining “innovative, competitive, and connected to trusted partners,” arguing that investing in defence and dual-use technologies “is not only a responsibility” but “a strategic necessity” in an era of hybrid threats, cyber challenges and a contested space domain.
He also assured the industry that the Government “will continue to stand firmly by your side,” stressing that “your success is not only an industrial achievement; your success is a strategic asset for Cyprus and for Europe. And your success is our success.” He said he believes the defence industry’s contribution to Cyprus’ GDP “can reach double digits in the years ahead.”
The President also said a National Registry of Cypriot Defence Industry Manufacturers, developed with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will shortly enter into force, serving as the official reference framework for authorised national manufacturers, enhancing transparency and compliance with standards.
He noted that the Government has increased funding to support the transition from Research and Development to Defence Industry Development, and that Cyprus is “gradually evolving from a participant to a meaningful contributor to Europe’s defense and dual-use technological ecosystem.”
