National Guard put through paces in ‘IRIS 2023’

The National Guard deployed all its personnel and active force in the Interdisciplinary Tactical Exercise ‘IRIS – 2023’ from 17-24 October, the Defence Ministry said.

National Guard commander Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas said the army will continue to highlight Cyprus as a reliable factor of security and stability in the region.

The objective of the exercise was to develop part of the operational capabilities of the formations, commands and tactical units and implement scenarios simulating real-life conditions to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.

According to the Defence Ministry, the exercise concluded on Tuesday with the final phase at Kalo Chorio, which included the examination of defensive and offensive operations scenarios, whose planning and execution was carried out by the 2nd Mechanised Infantry Brigade, with support of personnel and other assets.

It was preceded by smaller-scale exercises by different formations and commands, during which corresponding scenarios were examined, with the partial participation of a group of Hellenic Armed Forces, while Air Force Command deployed the Air Defence System and the Naval Command implemented scenarios for countering asymmetric threats by warships.

Defence Minister Michael Giorgallas attended the final phase of the exercise.