The Council of Ministers, chaired by President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, approved the establishment of the Cyprus National Defense Industry Council on Wednesday.

According to an announcement from the Ministry of Defense, this decision aligns with the government's program to support and promote the local defense industry.

The Minister of Defense, Vassilis Palmas, will serve as the Chairperson of the Council. The members include:

• Dr. Panayiotis Hatzipavlis, Director of the Directorate of General Procurement and Development of Defense Capabilities at the Ministry of Defense

• Stavros Stavrou, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)

• Antonis Antoniou, President of the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB)

• Dr. Tasos Kounoudis, President of the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE)

• Dr. Varnavas Sergides, Academic

• Zacharias Siokouros, Director of the Center of Excellence

• Rear Admiral (ret.) Konstantinos Phytiris

• Dr. Konstantinos Hatzisavvas

The Council will serve in an advisory capacity, primarily tasked with recommending key strategies for shaping governmental policy in the defense industry sector.

The Ministry of Defense highlighted several core responsibilities for the Council:

• Proposing strategies to the President of the Republic for advancing defense research, technology, and industry in Cyprus.

• Aligning the domestic defense industry with national defense and security objectives.

• Developing national defense capabilities, systems, and technologies to meet the armament needs of the National Guard.

• Encouraging collaboration among national universities, research centers, innovative Cypriot enterprises, the National Guard, and international organizations.

• Promoting investments to establish local defense manufacturing units in sectors of interest to the National Guard.

The tenure of the Chairperson and members is five years. Their roles will be unpaid and voluntary.