Cyprus Times

Cyprus Announces Coast Guard and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit

Published February 9, 2026, 14:12
Cyprus Announces Coast Guard and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit

The Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, announced the creation of a Coast Guard, independent of the Police, to protect the maritime area up to the Cypriot EEZ. The Coast Guard will consist of the Port Police and the helicopter squadron, in cooperation with the Port Authority and the Fisheries Department, aiming to consolidate forces and improve efficiency. Simultaneously, the creation of a Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit is being promoted, including airports and energy centers. A modernization plan for the Fire Service was presented, including the acquisition of new vehicles (vans, 6x6, fire trucks), the installation of fire detection systems in industrial zones, the procurement of drones, and the upgrade of communications with a MANET wireless network. Furthermore, the ARGOS crisis management system will be implemented, and two mobile tactical command centers (C2) will be acquired for incident management. According to 2025 statistics, the Fire Service rescued 2,351 people and responded to 7,154 fires, with 3,585 urban and 3,569 rural. False calls amounted to 988. Minister Fytiris sent a message to organized crime and referred to the evaluation of complaints by Annie Alexui, while emphasizing the need to respond to Israel's request for Aykut.