On Friday September 8th, 2023, a joint search and rescue exercise called "CYFRA 02/23" was conducted by Cyprus and France.

The exercise is under the framework of the defense cooperation program between the two countries and was conducted in a sea area within the Search and Rescue Region of the Republic of Cyprus under the coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center. The exercise was executed with the participation of French Ship “SEINE”, helicopters (AW-139) from the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit as well as a “MEDEVAC” Specialized Team of the Ambulance Service of the State Health Services Organization.

The main goal of the exercise was to further improve the long-lasting cooperation in SAR matters between the RoC and the French Republic’s aeronautical forces as well as to train the SAR assets and crews on the operational procedures followed during rescue operations.

      SAREX "CYFRA 02/23" is the second joint training in 2023 between  Cyprus and France focused on Search and Rescue.