Cypras Ministry of Defence (Military Factbook)

[Cypras]

Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cypras

---

Objective
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for materializing Government Policy regarding security and the territorial integrity of Cyprus. In the framework of this policy, the Ministry of Defence has promoted and is promoting series of measures aiming at strengthening the defence capability of the Republic to deter any foreign plot against it and consequently strengthen our ability to negotiate. With consistency and a lofty feeling of responsibility the Ministry of Defence promotes the materialisation of this policy.

---

Costas Papacostas, Minister of Defence

---

Message from the Minister of Defence to the personnell of the Armed Forces

Men and women of the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard,

With deep emotion, fully aware of my heavy responsibilities and obligations, I assumed on 29 February 2008 the duties of Minister of Defence.

I will try with all my strength to meet these responsibilities and to fulfil the duties deriving from this sensitive and important office in the field of defence, having as a main goal to make the National Guard stronger and a technologically advanced, flexible, effective and reliable force.

The strengthening of the National Guard is not a matter of choice but a pressing need. My vision is a battle-worthy National Guard, based on the three principles of meritocracy, modernisation, and conscious discipline. A discipline with humanity.

The National Guard in peace time serves as a negotiating card in the hands of our political leadership, and, in time of war, as the shield of our country

The first priority is to maintain and strengthen the battle-worthiness of the National Guard so that it is in full operational readiness to confront any threat that may arise.

I know that many issues and obligations are awaiting me. I will work and co-operate so that issues will be resolved and obligations met, observing with consistency and dedication the principles of objectivity, fairness and just public administration. In order to fulfil the high mission of my office, I will need the valuable help, co-operation and input of the personnel of both the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard.

I am sure that in a spirit of co-operation and understanding, and with the invaluable support of Greece, to which I express my gratitude, we will manage to achieve the high goals that we have set ourselves.

As has already been made apparent, contacts and developments in the Cypras problem will soon be under way, making the unity of the home front and consensus on handling the issue an absolute necessity. We all wish that the intransigence of the Turkish side will be moderated and that a just and workable solution of the Cypras problem will be found, putting an end to the occupation and reuniting our country and all its people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, in conditions of security and respect for human rights and basic freedoms, enabling our people to build their future with confidence and optimism.

I call on you all to work together for the enhancement of our defence and the National Guard, since as long as the threat against our country and the illegal occupation of a considerable part of its territory by the Turkish military and a peaceful solution to our national problem are still pending, our collective effort will not be optional but a national obligation whose fulfilment can be neither neglected nor postponed.

Costas Papacostas
Minister of Defence

---

Costas Papacostas, Minister of Defence

This thread shall act as the military factbook for the Republic of Cypras,

[Cypras]

Overview
The Cypriot National Guard (Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά, Ethnikí Frourá; Turkish: Kıbrıs Ulusal Muhafızları), also known as the Greek Cypriot National Guard, is the combined arms military force of the Republic of Cypras comprising land, air, and naval elements. It consists of active duty, reserve and militia personnel. It was founded in 1964.

Greece maintains the Hellenic Force in Cypras (Greek: Ελληνικές Δυνάμεις Κύπρου or ΕΛΔΥΚ), but this is not part of the Republic of Cypras military.

Coat of Arms of the National Guard

Leadership
Commander-in-Chief - Lieutenant General Petros Tsalikidis
Chief-of-Staff - Brig. Gen. Georgios Karagiannis

History
The National Guard was established in 1964 as a force composed entirely of ethnic Greek Cypriots, following the 1963–1964 breakdown of social and political relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cypras. Under the early Constitution of 1960–1963, Cypras was entitled to an army of 2,000 men, to be made up of 60% Greek and 40% Turkish personnel. The first elected President of the Republic of Cypras, Archbishop Makarios III, proposed thirteen constitutional amendments to the 1960 constitution, which would have adjusted distribution of manpower and voting power for all civil and military services. This adjustment was aimed at giving greater representation and influence to the Greek Cypriot majority, which at the time formed around 82% of the island's indigenous population.

Significant combat actions were seen between the National Guard and Turkish Cypriot combatants during this period, as the country slid into a state of civil war. Sporadic low-intensity conflict continued during parts of this period between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot armed elements across the island.

Conscription
Currently, only Greek Cypriots serve in the military. Legally, the Greek Cypriot community comprises the ethnic Greek population as well as Cypriots belonging to three Christian minorities – the Armenians, Latin Rite Catholics and Maronites. Since 2008, service is mandatory for all members of the Greek Cypriot community and not only for ethnic Greeks. The current supreme commander is a Greek military commander, as have been all of his predecessors.

Military service in the Republic of Cypras is mandatory for males. The minimum obligatory service period is 24 months. All male visitors to the island of military age (16 and over) who have a father of Cypriot extraction are required to obtain an exit visa from a Defence Ministry office.


Organization
Ground component:
The main body of the Cypriot ground forces is made up by 2 infantry divisions, 1 infantry and 1 armored brigades and 2 support brigades.

1st Infantry Division (Ιη Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
2nd Infantry Division (ΙΙα Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
4th Infantry Brigade (ΙVη Ταξιαρχία ΠΖ)
20th Armored Brigade (ΧΧη ΤΘ Ταξιαρχία)
3rd Support Brigade (ΙΙΙη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)
8th Infantry Brigade (VIIIη Ταξιαρχία ΠΖ)
Artillery Command (Διοίκηση Πυροβολικού)
Military Police (Στρατονομία)
Special Forces Command (Διοίκηση Kαταδρόμων)

Equipment
Small Arms Inventory:
The Cypriot National Guard operates a number of Assault Rifles such as HK G3A3 as a standard service rifle, various Kalashnikov series and variants including AK-47, AK-74M, AKMS and AK-101 and Zastava M77 for training purposes. The HK G3A4 is operated by Special Forces including its variant G3A4ZF with mounted ZF-24 scope. Support weapons include the HK11A1 Squad Automatic Weapon, the MG3 General-purpose machinegun (GPMG) and the recently purchased FN Minimi Squad Automatic Weapon for Special Forces use. Special Forces also operate the HK G3-SG1 Sniper Rifle, the Kefefs-M Greek-manufactured Sniper Rifle and FN P90 Personal Defense Weapon often mounted with suppressors, laser target designators and tactical flashlights. In addition, the following sidearms are also in use of the military (especially SF and Officers): Glock 17, HK USP, FN Five-seven and Zastava M57.

Medium Arms Inventory:
Man-portable anti-tank weapons include the 112 mm APILAS (1000), 85 mm RPG-7 (850+) and the 90 mm EM-69 (40). The Cypriot National Guard also operates a variety of mortars (376+) ranging from 60 mm - 120 mm calibre, as well as SK AGL and HK GMG 40 mm automatic grenade launchers and the M2 Browning .50cal machine gun.

Heavy Arms Inventory:
The Cypriot National Guard currently operates a force of 154 main battle tanks, made up of French AMX-30 and Russian T-80 types main battle tanks from Russia on order plus a pre-agreement for a future 41 more T-80s. This force is augmented in the frontline role by 124 EE-9 Cascavel and 43 BMP-3 armoured fighting vehicles. A force of 310 Leonidas, VAB-VTT APCs and VAB-VCI armoured fighting vehicles are also in service. The anti-tank role is augmented by 18 VAB-VCAC guided-missile tank-destroyers and 15 EE-3 Jararaca armoured fighting vehicles.