Newsroom
The government has approved expanded insurance coverage for Contract Soldiers (SyOP) serving in high risk positions within the Cyprus National Guard, following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Defence of Cyprus.
SyOP members are professional soldiers employed on contract by the National Guard. Unlike conscripts completing mandatory military service, they serve as paid personnel in operational and support roles across the armed forces.
The decision was announced by Vasilis Palmas, who said the Council of Ministers agreed to apply existing insurance provisions for military personnel carrying out dangerous duties to SyOP members assigned to positions with similar levels of risk.
In practice, this means Contract Soldiers working in hazardous roles, such as handling weapons systems, explosives, military exercises or other dangerous operational duties, will now receive the same type of insurance protection already granted to other army personnel in equivalent positions.
According to the announcement, the measure forms part of efforts to improve the status and support framework for professional soldiers in the National Guard.
Government officials said the change recognises the demands and responsibilities linked to hazardous military duties, while also offering additional security to serving personnel and their families.
The insurance coverage is intended to provide financial protection in cases involving serious injury, disability or death connected to dangerous military service.
The new arrangement extends protections already available to other army members performing dangerous assignments, placing Contract Soldiers in comparable operational roles under the same insurance framework.
Authorities described the decision as part of the state’s continuing support for the personnel of the armed forces.
