The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), in collaboration with the Cyprus Research and Innovation Enterprises Association (CRIEA), on Monday announced the creation of the Cyprus Defence and Space Industry Cluster (CyDSIC).

According to the announcement, the new cluster “aims to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding ecosystem of Cypriot businesses in the defence, security, and aerospace sectors“.

The chamber explained that a previous version of the cluster had been “operating successfully” under the auspices of CRIEA since 2019.

It added that it “contributed substantially to the development of the Cypriot defence industry, promoting cooperation between industry, academic bodies, and state authorities, and strengthening the Cypriot presence in European and international research and technological programmes”.

Since its inception, the announcement conitnued, the cluster has participated in organised exhibitions both in Cyprus and abroad.

It has also organised the national pavilions at the international exhibitions DEFEA and Eurosatory since 2021.

It has also successfully organised the BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED conference, which has been established as Cyprus’s premier defence and technology event.

The cluster is a member of the EU’s European network of defence regions, while it is also organising an international conference on dual-use technologies.

The conference, taking place in Cyprus and titled “Battlefield ReDEFiNED 2026: Modern Technologies with dual-use potential for Enhancing Security, Defence and Space Resilience“, is being held in cooperation with DG-DEFIS, under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU and the Defence Ministry.

The cluster has also promoted Cyprus’ participation in the EDIDP programme and the successful participation of Cypriot companies in the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) programmes.

This has “placed Cyprus on the European map for the production of defence, space, and technological products”, said the announcement.

Moreover, the cluster has actively supported Cyprus’s participation in the European Space Agency (ESA) by hosting ESA experts at member facilities over time to document Cyprus’s national capability in the Space sector.

In addition, networking events have been organised with European and international countries, including Greece, Hungary, France, Poland, the UK, the Czech Republic, Italy, and, most recently, India.

Furthermore, memoranda of cooperation have been signed with corresponding associations in France, Greece, Poland, and Italy.

“This success is due to the efforts of a small but dynamic group of businesses, which are now called upon to broaden their base, and the new association is issuing an open invitation to all organisations and businesses in the sector to actively participate in this effort,” the chamber stated.

“The decision to create an autonomous association was taken with the aim of strengthening the Cypriot defence and space industry, better responding to rapid technological and geopolitical developments, promoting the industrialisation of Cypriot dual-use products, increasing the export of advanced Cypriot technologies and systems, and strengthening cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), thus enhancing Cyprus’ participation in European initiatives and programmes,” it added.

“With the new institutional framework,” the announcement continued, “as well as the experience and international collaborations already developed during its operation under the auspices of CRIEA, the Cyprus Defence and Space Industry Cluster will further strengthen cooperation among its members, promote innovation, and support Cyprus’s participation in international value chains, contributing to national and European technological and industrial autonomy.”

The announcement also mentioned that the Cyprus Defence and Industry Cluster will continue its cooperation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as all relevant ministries, and will remain connected to CRIEA, “maintaining the unity and synergy that has characterised its actions to date”.

What is more, Keve called on all businesses and organisations active in the defence, security, and space sectors to actively participate in the new cluster.

This, the chamber explained, will help to “strengthen competitiveness, outward orientation, industrial development, and Cyprus’ presence in international markets”.

Finally, Keve said that more information, as well as the date for the new association’s first statutory meeting, will be announced within January 2026.