For the first time since 2023, Greek aircraft are taking part in the IRIS joint exercise.
Shortly after 9 a.m., a pair of F-16 fighter jets is conducting a low-altitude flyover of the Kalo Chorio Firing Range, where they will return on Thursday during the final phase of the exercise.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to the scenario, their objective is to identify enemy positions, paving the way for the National Guard’s new smart weapon: the Cypriot drones.
The UAVs have been fully integrated into the National Guard’s operational framework, with their capabilities being thoroughly tested during the current IRIS exercise.
The Cypriot-built H-10 POSEIDON—which has already been integrated into the National Guard’s Artillery Corps—along with the GOLIATH and Matrice, operate at different levels and complement one another.
“We had the opportunity to test the unmanned aerial vehicles in collaboration with the Cypriot defense industry. This is the first time they have participated in an Iris-level exercise.”
Konstantinos Konstantinou – Commander of the 20th Armored Brigade
“This is the first time all of our assets will participate. For these technologies to be operationally effective, they must be tested.”
Dimitris Georgiou – Director of the Technical Directorate
Cypriot UAVs are used for reconnaissance missions and transmit the full operational picture to the National Guard General Staff.
“This collaboration offers the National Guard the opportunity to leverage new technologies to enhance its capabilities and meet operational needs.”
Sofianos Philippides – Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense
DroneEye is Cyprus’s response to countering UAVs.
“What you see in the background is the DroneEye system; it is the result of a purely local collaboration.”
Mikis Antoniou – Director of Encorp
“The first thing we do is locate the target using a radar and a sensor. The operator can determine whether it’s hostile. They can jam it using the systems.”
George Michalis – Encorp Drone Operator
A Storm of Fire
On the battlefield, the ground shakes in Kalo Chorio as T-80, BMP-3, and LEONIDAS tanks, along with the AKERON and EXOCET missile systems, fire their rounds. Deafening explosions set the scene of a real war.
Commando forces are infiltrating enemy territory with the aim of recapturing it, while paratroopers are performing free-fall jumps from an altitude of 6,000 feet.
The long-range BARAK MX air defense system has been deployed near the exercise area. The Hellenic Armed Forces’ new superweapon has been fully integrated into the armed forces’ operational activities.
From the air, land, and sea, the armed forces are carrying out scenarios to repel an attack across the entire territory. Under the code word “ASTRAPI,” a counterattack is ordered to eliminate an enemy bridgehead.
Particularly impressive is the flyby of the Hellenic Armed Forces’ H145M attack helicopters.
The helicopters hover at an altitude of 1 to 2 meters above the ground and fire anti-tank rounds to destroy enemy tanks, even from a stationary position.
The attack helicopters are preparing to fire in order to retake the opposite hill of Kotzia Seki.
Scenarios for countering asymmetric threats, including by the Special Forces (OUK), in the maritime area of the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base, with the aim of destroying fuel depots at port facilities.
Watch the report by Christoforos Nestoros:
