Press Releases

The Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, announces the planning and execution of the Multinational Exercise “ARGONAUT 2019”.

The exercise, which started on May 28^th and will end on May 30^th, 2019, is divided in four phases, within the sea, air and land area of the Republic of Cyprus (FIR, SRR and EEZ). The exercise is organized under the general coordination of the National Guard, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the Civil Defense, as well as with the participation of a large number of governmental services

In the framework of the exercise, the National Plans “ESTIA” and “TEFKROS” will be evaluated, for the reception of non-combatants arriving from neighboring countries, as well as to deal with Search and Rescue incidents within the area of responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus, which coincides with Nicosia FIR.

On May 28^th, a pre-exercise was executed, for the briefing and preparation of the representatives of the states participating in the Non Combatant Evacuation Operations Coordination Group (NEOCG). The NEOCG’s task is the evacuation of non-combatants from a neighboring country of crisis and their safe repatriate.

The first phase of the exercise will take place on 29^th and 30^th of May, carrying out a tabletop exercise for a civilian evacuation scenario (NEO) from a crisis area, as well as briefings and visits of the observers in order for them to follow the implementation of National Plan “ESTIA”.

The second phase of the exercise will take place in the evening of 29^th of May, in the sea area south of Cyprus and deals with the implementation of the National Search and Rescue Plan “TEFKROS”, following a severe air accident of a Civilian Passenger Aircraft at open sea.

The third phase of the exercise will take place on the morning of May 30^th, 2019 in the sea area south of Cyprus and will also deal with the implementation of the National Search and Rescue Plan “TEFKROS”, following the reception of information for a severe naval accident in high seas.

The second and third phases (SAR Phases), will be carried out under the operational control and coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca, as part of the master scenario of the exercise “ARGONAUT 2019”, including incidents occurring during the transportation of non-combatant from a state in crisis in the Middle East to Larnaca Airport and Ports of the Republic of Cyprus. During these two phases, assets and personnel from Greece, France, Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States of America and, of course, the Republic of Cyprus will be involved.

The fourth and final phase of the exercise will take place in the afternoon of May 30^th 2019, with the implementation of the National Plan “ESTIA” as a result of mass arrivals of non-combatants from foreign countries in Cyprus.

Α large number of foreign military observers and diplomats attend the exercise “ARGONAUT 2019” will attend a large number of foreign military observers and diplomats, as the Middle East region is a region of particular interest and its instability makes the exercise scenario realistic.

(MG/II)