Dorita Yiannakou
The number of defense technology companies in Cyprus is growing, creating a diverse ecosystem capable of developing new solutions as well as bringing existing technologies to market.
Cyprus’ defense technology sector connects research and development with production, commercialization and participation in international programs. Cybersecurity and information protection, unmanned aircraft, digital signal processing for communications and locating radio-frequency sources, and electronic systems for security and defense are just some of the technologies being developed.
Particularly important for Cyprus and the further growth of its domestic defense industry is the success of certain Cypriot companies in securing international contracts and establishing partnerships with overseas organizations and businesses in the sector. This points to the industry’s growing international reach and the ability of Cypriot businesses to meet the demands of a highly competitive and technologically demanding global market.
Through these partnerships, Cypriot companies also gain access to expertise, further develop their technological capabilities and strengthen their position in international value chains.
Industry representatives told Kathimerini that this development has broader significance for the Cypriot economy. Building an internationally oriented defense industry could help diversify the country’s production base, create highly skilled jobs and strengthen research and innovation.
Three categories
Companies operating in defense technology in Cyprus can be divided into three main categories, according to industry representatives.
The first consists of established businesses that already have a commercial presence, secure contracts and develop international partnerships.
The second comprises research and development companies focused on designing, researching and developing innovative products, integrated systems or specialized subsystems for defense and related applications.
The third includes startups at an early stage of development, seeking to turn new ideas and technological innovations into commercially viable solutions.
Among established defense technology companies with products used in operations and international partnerships, six key players stand out: Theon, Tototheo Global, Odyssey, Swarmly, Fractal Networx and HOUTRIS. They operate in different areas of defense technology, contributing their specialized capabilities to strengthen Cyprus’ presence in the sector.
The research and development category includes CyRIC, Signal GeneriX, eBOS, Cellock and Additess.
Alongside businesses directly involved in defense technology, the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), headed by George Danos, also plays a role in developing the country’s space technology and research ecosystem.
Through research initiatives and international partnerships, CSEO helps strengthen Cyprus’ scientific and technological expertise. Although its activities are not exclusively defense-related, space technologies such as satellite communications and remote sensing can serve both civilian and defense purposes.
The third category includes Malloc and Ecliptic Defence & Space, startups developing innovative defense technologies at different stages of technological and commercial maturity.
The solutions and products
Theon
Theon is a company of Greek origin, headquartered in Cyprus and operating internationally. It has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 2024.
The company began operating in Greece in 1997, developing and manufacturing night-vision and thermal-imaging systems for the armed forces. Its products help soldiers and operators detect, observe and identify targets in low light or poor visibility.
These include monoculars, scopes and binocular systems, such as the ARGUS, NYX and MIKRON ranges, for soldiers and special forces.
The company also produces thermal sights and clip-on devices that use thermal radiation to detect targets during the day and at night, along with systems such as ORION that combine night vision, thermal imaging and augmented reality.
Its portfolio also includes electro-optical observation and surveillance systems for military vehicles and other land-based or maritime platforms.
Tototheo Global
Tototheo Global is a Limassol-based Cypriot technology company operating in satellite communications, digital connectivity, navigation systems, cybersecurity and solutions for critical operational infrastructure.
While it has a strong presence in shipping, the company is expanding into areas including defense, government connectivity, energy and transport.
Its technologies use satellite networks in different orbits, including low Earth orbit satellites, and combine satellite and terrestrial connections to maintain communications when a network experiences problems. It also offers technologies for more secure connection management and support for critical operations.
Odyssey
Odyssey Cybersecurity is a Cypriot technology company specializing in cybersecurity, cyberthreat detection and the protection of information systems.
Founded in 2002, it has developed its own cybersecurity platform and serves an international customer base.
Its proprietary platform provides tools for monitoring security events, detecting threats and investigating cyberattacks. The company also offers system monitoring, incident investigation and cyber-risk management services, including through security operations centers, as well as integrated digital security solutions.
Swarmly
Founded in Limassol in 2018, Swarmly has grown into Europe’s largest manufacturer of unmanned and defense systems, including drones.
It combines in-house production with components sourced from abroad, operating as a fully integrated manufacturer of unmanned systems.
Every stage of development takes place in Limassol, from research, product design and software development to manufacturing, assembly, testing and logistics.
The company exports its products and technologies to Africa, Asia, the Americas and Ukraine.
Fractal Networx
Founded in 2015 and based in Nicosia, Fractal Networx researches and develops specialized systems for electronic warfare, command and control, and countering unmanned aircraft.
Its solutions include the ORION-CX command-and-control platform and the ALECTO EW electronic warfare and counter-drone system, both already in operational use.
HOUTRIS
HOUTRIS, also known as Hutris, is a Cypriot industrial company that manufactures and adapts specialized vehicles, with a significant presence in defense.
Its expertise covers military platforms, support vehicles and specialized fabrication.
On July 23, 2026, HOUTRIS signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with METLEN through the latter’s defense unit, M Technologies. The agreement provides for a joint company in Cyprus to manufacture military vehicles under the European SAFE program.
CyRIC
CyRIC has developed electronic systems for security and defense applications, contributing technologies that can be incorporated into larger systems.
Signal GeneriX
Signal GeneriX has expertise in digital signal processing, communications and locating radio-frequency sources.
Its RF-Hunter is a representative example of the specialized technology it markets for security and defense applications.
eBOS
eBOS Technologies is a Cypriot technology company whose activities include developing defense technology solutions.
Its main areas of focus include artificial intelligence, cyberdefense, secure tactical communications and autonomous unmanned systems.
It coordinates the European HERMES project, funded by the European Defence Industrial Development Programme, which addresses secure data exchange and cybersecurity in autonomous military systems.
Cellock
Cellock is a Cypriot technology company whose activities extend to defense technology, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
Founded in 2003 and based in Nicosia, it develops software and hardware, focusing on data analysis, artificial intelligence and real-time information processing.
Additess
Founded in 2011, Nicosia-based Additess develops software, electronic systems and security solutions, with a growing presence in the defense industry.
It participates in European research and defense programs and develops both software and unmanned systems.
Malloc
Malloc is a Nicosia-based Cypriot cybersecurity company developing AI-based solutions to protect mobile devices, sensitive data and secure communications.
Its solutions can be used by individuals and businesses, as well as government and defense organizations.
Its products cover mobile phone protection against spyware, secure communications and VPN services, and AI-powered cyberthreat detection.
The company also provides software tools that can be integrated into other applications, allowing organizations to add protective capabilities and reduce the risk of breaches or unauthorized access.
Ecliptic/ds
Ecliptic Defence & Space designs and manufactures specialized electronic equipment for defense systems and satellites.
Founded in 2020, it focuses primarily on radio-frequency and microwave technologies.
In 2025, the company presented ANTIGONI C-UAS, a counter-drone system. It is also developing electronic attack technologies and jamming systems to counter electronic threats while designing radar technologies for land, airborne, and space platforms.
Most companies have Cypriot roots
Cyprus’ defense technology ecosystem is largely made up of businesses established by Cypriot entrepreneurs and founders who identified opportunities to develop innovative technologies in areas of strategic importance to defense and security.
These businesses do more than represent foreign manufacturers or distribute their products. In many cases, they develop their own expertise, software, systems and specialized applications, drawing on the country’s scientific and technical talent.
The predominantly Cypriot background of their founders connects their growth to the domestic innovation ecosystem. Their work in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, secure communications, command-and-control systems and specialized defense platforms offers opportunities to strengthen Cyprus’ technological self-sufficiency and production base, industry representatives say.
Participation in European research programs, cooperation with international partners and gradual expansion into overseas markets could also help turn local entrepreneurial activity into a more organized, internationally competitive defense technology sector.
The challenges
Cyprus has already established a tangible and diverse defense technology ecosystem, supported by locally founded businesses, research and development activities, and partnerships with European organizations and international defense companies.
This presence demonstrates that the country has developed significant technological and manufacturing capabilities. These could provide a foundation for further innovation, investment and greater participation in Europe’s defense industry.
Cyprus also has a research base capable of supporting the development of new defense and technology applications.
However, significant challenges remain in making full use of that potential.
The European Commission has noted that Cyprus’ overall investment in research and development remains low compared with the European average, while turning scientific knowledge into commercial applications continues to be a challenge.
Industry representatives say Cyprus could strengthen its position by focusing on areas where it already has expertise and where building a vast industrial base is not necessarily required.
The central challenge, they add, is therefore not simply to produce more research, but to turn it into competitive products, repeat sales, exports and lasting partnerships.
