Eight countries and more than 15 state agencies of the Republic of Cyprus took part in the multinational Nemesis 2026 exercise in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The exercise tested responses to emergencies on an offshore hydrocarbon platform, maritime security incidents and threats to critical infrastructure.
Personnel and assets from Cyprus, Greece, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, Italy and Egypt participated.
The exercise was observed from the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari by Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, Justice and Public Order Minister Kostas Fitiris, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Christos Senekis, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nikolas Ioannides, and ambassadors of the participating countries.
Terrorism, rescues and maritime pollution scenarios
The Nemesis 2026 exercise forms part of preparations by state services involved in implementing Cyprus’ energy programme. Its aim is to ensure they are ready to respond to emergencies on offshore hydrocarbon platforms.
Scenarios included responding to a terrorist attack on an offshore platform, boarding and inspecting suspicious vessels, rescuing trapped people, evacuating injured individuals by air, conducting mass rescue operations and dealing with marine pollution.
A Greek F-16 Viper fighter jet also made two passes over the exercise area.
The Search and Rescue Coordination Centre was responsible for the overall coordination of the planning and execution, working with the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the National Guard, Cyprus Police and the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research.
Ministers highlight maritime security and cooperation
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas stressed the importance of maritime security, protecting the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and international cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He said the exercise helped assess operational capabilities, test existing procedures and strengthen coordination among participants in responding to emergencies, including terrorist attacks, search and rescue operations and marine pollution incidents in Cyprus’ EEZ.
“Protecting the maritime domain, safeguarding sovereign rights and ensuring security in the Eastern Mediterranean remain steadfast priorities of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis highlighted the importance of international cooperation in responding to environmental emergencies and protecting the Eastern Mediterranean’s marine and coastal areas.
He said Cyprus was strengthening its operational capabilities by investing in specialised vessels to deal with oil pollution incidents.
Senekis also referred to trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, noting that vessels, aircraft and specialised personnel from the three countries took part in the CypEx 2026 exercise.
Focus on coordination and energy security
National Guard Chief Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou highlighted the importance of coordination between the National Guard, state services and the armed forces of partner countries in responding to maritime crises.
He said the exercise provided an opportunity to assess operational capabilities and improve cooperation between the National Guard’s air and naval assets, relevant state agencies and the armed forces of participating countries.
Search and Rescue Coordination Centre Commander Giorgos Oikonomou said the exercise, which is being held for the 11th time, had taken on particular importance with the resumption of drilling activities in Cyprus’ EEZ.
He stressed that national and international coordination was essential to supporting hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities and strengthening energy security.
The findings of the exercise will be used to improve national plans and operational procedures, he added.
The exercise concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques to representatives of the participating countries.
Ο Υπουργός Άμυνας @PalmasVasilis, παρακολούθησε σήμερα την τελική φάση της Πολυεθνικής Άσκησης «ΝΕΜΕΣΙΣ 2026», η οποία πραγματοποιήθηκε με προσωπικό και μέσα από τα κράτη της Γαλλίας, της Ελλάδας, του Ισραήλ, της Ιταλίας και της Κύπρου και με παρατηρητές από την Αίγυπτο, το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο και τις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής. Στον χαιρετισμό που εκφώνησε επισήμανε ότι ανάλογες πρωτοβουλίες αποκτούν ιδιαίτερη πολιτική και στρατηγική σημασία, καθώς αποτελούν έμπρακτη έκφραση της κοινής βούλησης των κρατών για συνεργασία, συντονισμό και συλλογική αντιμετώπιση προκλήσεων που υπερβαίνουν τα εθνικά σύνορα.
— Ministry of Defence 🇨🇾 (@DefenceCyprus) November 11, 2026
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