With the participation of naval units from five countries—Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Italy, and the United States—a multinational small-scale exercise took place last Monday, August 17, 2026, in the waters south of Limassol, the small-scale multinational exercise “CYPRUS ARROW” took place in the presence of the National Guard’s senior leadership. On the same day, a joint naval cooperation exercise (PASSEX) was held between Italy and Cyprus.
According to a statement from the General Staff of the National Guard, the multinational exercise included the Open Sea Patrol Vessel (OPSV) “IOANNIDIS” of the National Guard Naval Command, the Greek frigate “NIKIFOROS FOKAS,” the U.S. destroyer “PAUL IGNATIUS,” the Italian frigate “CARABINIERE,” and the German frigate “BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG.”
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As reported, routine maneuvers, advanced maneuvers, technical drills, and communications exercises, while cooperation and coordination procedures among the participating naval units were tested at the multinational level.
According to the same announcement, last Monday a joint naval cooperation exercise (PASSEX) took place in the sea area south of Limassol between the National Guard Naval Command and the Italian Navy, which was once again observed by National Guard leadership on board.
Participating in the exercise were the Open Sea Patrol Vessel (OPSV) “IOANNIDIS” and the Italian frigate “CARABINIERE” with its assigned EH-101 helicopter; during the exercise, drills were conducted on communications, procedures for the identification and verification of a suspicious vessel, as well as a consensual boarding exercise, during which crews boarded each other’s vessels and carried out the prescribed inspection procedures.
See footage from the exercise here:
SOURCE: CNA
