The exercise “AGAPINOR 2022” is in full swing, while the Minister of Defence of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Gantz, visited Cyprus today and attended a part of it.

Among other things, helicopters and aircraft from Israel as well as Mi-35 helicopters and BMP-3 vehicles of the National Guard participated in this phase of the exercise. In addition, as part of the exercise, Israeli Humvee multi-role vehicle was dropped from an aircraft with a parachute.  

Mr. Benjamin Gantz was received at Paphos Airport – on behalf of the Minister of Defence – by the Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Andreas Loukas, and the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Democritus Zervakis.

In his greeting, the Director General of the Ministry stated that the preparatory work for the exercise has been taking place for the past 6 months in Cyprus and Israel, in close coordination of the GEEF Staffs with the Israeli Armed Forces in secrecy and under high protection measures. 

He added that in recent years Cyprus has managed to become a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, through a network of bilateral-trilateral and other multilateral cooperation mechanisms which are based on respect for international law. In this context, he said, the “AGAPINOR 2022” Exercise was organized on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by the National Guard General Staff and the Israeli Armed Forces with the participation of the Hellenic Navy and with the assistance of other State Services. To this, the Ministry expresses its thanks.

Also read: Exercise “Agapinor 2022” | Preparations are underway for the largest Cyprus – Israel exercise