The signing of the Agreement for the supply of six H145M Light Attack Helicopters of Airbus Helicopters, with the right to exercise an option for the acquisition of six more, took place today at the Ministry of Defence.
The H145M light attack helicopter, capable of operating in demanding day and night environments, will enhance the National Guard's capabilities for rapid response, emitting massed fire, engaging targets with precision and performing close support and intelligence gathering missions.
In his address, the Minister of Defence Mr. Charalambos Petridis stressed that, "our immediate goal is to qualitatively upgrade the capabilities of the National Guard, with modern means, equipment and capabilities, in order to constitute a reliable deterrent and defensive force".
Petrides added that "The ongoing Turkish provocativeness combined with Turkey's revisionist tendency and the ongoing occupation leave us no room for complacency. We must have a strong deterrent capability for the defence and security of our country and our citizens."
The French Ambassador to Cyprus Ms Salina Grenet-Catalano expressed her conviction that through this agreement security and regional stability will be strengthened and that European defence and bilateral defence partnership will be further enhanced.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Director General Andreas Louka and on behalf of Airbus Helicopters by Executive Vice President Olivier Michalon.
(EC/SX)
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