Underwater Demolition Team (Cyprus)
Cyprus Navy's naval special warfare unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Underwater Demolition Team (Greek: Μονάδα Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών), abbreviated as MYK (Greek: ΜΥΚ,Greek pronunciation: [mik]) is the Cyprus Navy's special warfare unit.[1]
| Underwater Demolition Team (MYK) | |
|---|---|
| Μονάδα Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών (ΜΥΚ) | |
| Active | 1964–present |
| Country | Cyprus |
| Branch | Cyprus Navy |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role |
|
| Garrison/HQ | Larnaca, Cyprus |
| Nicknames | |
| Patron | Saint Nicholas |
| Motto | ΡΩΜΗ ΜΕΤΑ ΦΡΟΝΗΣΕΩΣ |
| Engagements | 2024 Lebanon Migration crisis |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Andreas Ioannides Costas Fitiris |
History
The Underwater Demolition Team was created in 1964, alongside the newly formed National Guard, with trainers from Greece carrying out the first underwater demolition school, only 18 graduates out of the 142 passing.[2]
During the early hours of the invasion, OYK, at its then base in Bogazi, was placed on alert but took no further action during the invasion.[3]
_and_US_Navy_SEALs_in_a_photo_onboard_a_ship.jpg)
Training
Equipment
MYK uses an array of weapons for the execution of different types of operations they may receive.[6][7]
- FN SCAR (L & H TPR)
- IWI Tavor
- H&K MP5
- COLT M5
- M-16
- FN Minimi
- Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
- Accuracy International AX50
- Several sidearms
Notable people
Many MYK operators have gained either positions within the government or have been involved in high-profile events, most important being Andreas Ioannides, who was a SEAL however serving as the commander of the Navy at the time of the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion and subsequently losing his life.[8][9]
Other notable people who have served in the unit are:
- Costas Fitiris – Former Commander of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center and Chief Marina Officer of the Ayia Napa Marina; since December 2025 serving as Minister of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus.[10]
- Fidias Panayiotou (Currently serving as a Member of the European Parliament)
Gallery
Cypriot MYK operator with his FN SCAR in a live fire exercise with US Navy SEALs
OYK operators from Cyprus and Greece during a VBSS exercise with the USA
Cypriot Greek and Greek SEALs secure parts of a ship during a VBSS exercise
Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Europe (NSWTU-E), the Greek Underwater Demolition Team (DYK) and Cypriot Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), execute an Over the Beach (OTB) insertion exercise
