Police equipment upgrade | The announced tenders in detail

Defence Redefined

Published on 18/03/2021 at 15:03

New vehicles carrying anti-riot teams, armor and other equipment will be procured by the Cyprus Police in order to upgrade and/or replace its existing anti-riot equipment, according to a report by the newspaper “Simerini Online” by Dr. Lambros Kaoullas. 

According to the report, the ammunition reserve of the Police will also be upgraded through announced tenders of € 755,000. The Police’s anti-riot equipment upgrade, as mentioned in the report, is not specifically related to the demonstrations that have taken place during lockdown or immigration. Rather, it is carried out in the context of the Police’s long-term planning regarding such upgrades.

Specifically, this upgrade includes the procurement of 5 new vehicles carrying anti-riot teams, 450 new anti-riot armour and expandable batons. The ammunition reserves are also upgraded with a tender for the acquisition of 9x19mm cartridges. 

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According to the report, the information of which is confirmed by the Public Procurement Directorate of the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus, announced the following public tenders with the Cyprus Police as the Contracting Authority.

• The first (D.O 7/2021) tender concerns “the procurement and configuration (5) of vehicles carrying anti-riot groups as well as the provision of maintenance services”. The estimated cost is € 348,697 and the deadline is on March 26.
• Another tender (D.O 16/2021) is related to “the procurement of four hundred and fifty (450) anti-riot armour”, which fall into the category of personal police and support equipment. The estimated cost is € 200,000 and the deadline is on April 9.
• Elsewhere, (D.O 8/2021) a “tender for the procurement of expandable batons” is announced, which is included in the category of police equipment. Although it is not explicitly mentioned in the tender, reliable information states that this tender concerns 450 batons. The estimated cost is € 45,000 and the deadline is on April 6.
• Another tender (D.O 13/2021) is in regards to a “tender for the procurement of 9x19mm Para/Luger cartridges” with an estimated cost of € 160,000 and a deadline on March 30, apparently for the upgrade of the police ammunition reserve.

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According to Sergeant Marina Christodoulidou, who spoke to “Simerini Online”, the announced tenders are part of the long-term planning of the Police to upgrade or replace its equipment.

The Sergeant denied the unsubstantiated claims implying that the procurement of the equipment is related to the events that have taken place in recent demonstrations against the restrictive measures in Nicosia and Limassol or the use of “Aiantas” water cannon, since the upgrade planning was done long before the decrees to tackle the coronavirus pandemic came into force.

The tenders concern the needs that arose in previous years such as the replacement of old equipment, the provision of equipment to new Police members and to members who have been seconded and need equipment.

According to the report, what is not yet known is which Police units the new equipment will be distributed to, but this will be done according to the service needs that will arise.

In addition, the District Administration of Nicosia, proceeded to the announcement of a tender (Nicosia District Authority 18/2021) for the “construction of a new checkpoint at the roadblock of Ledras Street” with an estimated cost of € 27,000 and a deadline on April 2.

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According to the spokesperson of the Police Communications Branch, “anti-riot armour intended to replace the existing gear of the rapid response unit (MMAD) and Police Divisions purchased in 2007 and 2010 respectively” and their purchase was decided in 2020 and was included in the 2021 budget.

When asked by CNA, on the occasion of relevant publications, the Police spokesperson said that “in the context of upgrading and replacing its equipment and various reserves, the Police announces public tenders based on the respective approved budgets.”

He noted that the upgrade of basic equipment “has always been granted to our members and that the upgrade of our equipment is something that is occasionally done so as to properly equip the Police as a law enforcement body.”

“It is something that happens in all countries around the world for the modern Police, because the Police should always be equipped. There are so many dangers and our main concern is the protection of the citizens of our country and their property,” he added.

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With information from:  “Simerini Online” / CNA