Cyprus National Guard to hold four days of live-fire drills at Kalo Chorio for exercise IRIS-2026

The Cyprus National Guard General Staff (GEEF) announced on Sunday, October 11 that live-fire drills will take place during the day from Monday, October 12 to Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the “Kalo Chorio” firing range. The firing is part of the Tactical Exercise With Troops (TAMS) “IRIS-2026”, according to the announcement on the National Guard’s official X account.

Entry to the range prohibited

According to the GEEF announcement, entry to the firing range is prohibited while the exercise lasts.

What IRIS-2026 is

Tactical Exercises With Troops are field exercises in which units carry out their plans and procedures with real personnel and equipment, and not only at staff level. GEEF describes IRIS-2026 as an important training activity that forms part of the National Guard’s wider operational planning. It says the exercise is a field for applying plans and procedures in conditions that simulate the demands of a complex, modern operational environment. The announcement does not say which units and weapon systems are taking part.

A period of reinforcement for the National Guard

The exercise comes as Cyprus is strengthening its armed forces in personnel and infrastructure. The Cabinet recently approved the recruitment of 400 contract NCOs from among the contract soldiers (SYOP), while a study has begun on expanding the Mari naval base so that it can host large allied warships. At the parade of October 1 the National Guard displayed new weapon systems and aircraft, with allied forces present.

Live-fire training is a fixed part of the units’ preparation. The National Guard also trains regularly with allies, for example with the US Marines of the FASTEUR team in Larnaca in January 2026.