Cypriot National Guard
The Cypriot National Guard (Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά) is the combined arms military force of the Republic of Cyprus. It is a combined arms force, with land, air and naval elements.
Current Components
Land
The land forces of the Cypriot National Guard comprise the following units:
- First Infantry Division (Ιη Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
- Second Infantry Division (ΙΙα Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
- Fourth Infantry Brigade (ΙVη Ταξιαρχία ΠΖ)
- Twentieth Armored Brigade (ΧΧη ΤΘ Ταξιαρχία)
- Third Support Brigade (ΙΙΙη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)
- Eighth Support Brigade (VIIIη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)
Air
- 449th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (449 ΜΑΕ) - operating SA-342L and Bell 206
- 450th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (450 ME/P) - operating Mi-35P, BN-2B and PC-9
Sea
- Cyprus Navy
Current Senior officers
- Supreme Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Konstantinos Bisbikas
- Deputy Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Savvas Argyrou
- Chief of Staff, Cypriot National Guard: Brig. Gen. Georgios Sofianidis
Current Equipment of the Cyprus National Guard
Creation of the Cyprus National Guard
The General Staff of the Cyprus National Guard in known domestically by its Greek designation "ΓΕΕΦ", or transliterated in the Latin alphabet as "GEEF".
The full name is "ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΕΠΙΤΕΛΕΙΟ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΦΡΟΥΡΑΣ" which translates in English as "GENERAL STAFF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD". This name was assigned to the General Staff Headquarters organisation that commanded the National Guard in 1964, before which time and since 1963, the organisation had been briefly designated "Ειδικό Μικτό Επιτελείο Κύπρου" (ΕΜΕΚ), or translated in English as "Special Mixed Staff Cyprus" (EMEK).
The formation of GEEF in 1964 coincides directly with the establishment of purely Greek Cypriot ethnicity National Guard, following the outbreak of nationwide civil disturbances between Greek and Turkish Cypriot groups. Thus, as of 1964, the Turkish Cypriot minority were forced to abandon the original provisions to them of Article 129 - 132 of the 1960 Constitution, and withdrew any further participation in the National Guard, to which they had been entitled 40% of the total manpower, i.e. 2000 men.
The GEEF was made constitutional in July 1964 by vote of the Cypriot Parliament, from which the Turkish Cypriot Vice President (along with his right of veto) and the Turkish Cypriot senators were removed, by which time the country had begun to slide into a total socio-political breakdown along ethnic lines.
Ethnic composition the Cyprus National Guard
Currently, the Cyprus National Guard conscripts only individuals of Greek Cypriot ethnicity, and this will continue until early 2008, when non-Turkish Cypriot minorities (Latin, Maronite, etc) of the Republic of Cyprus will be granted equality of conscription and service. Turkish Cypriots with Republic of Cyprus passports and residency are notably excluded from military service because of the continuing state of cold war between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.
Original Components of the Cyprus National Guard from 1964 until the 1974 Invasion
Land
- GEEF (General HQ, Cyprus National Guard)
- DPB HQ (Artillery Command HQ)
- I ATD HQ – Ammochostos
- II ATD HQ – Morphou
- III ATD HQ – Lefkosia
- II TS / III ATD HQ – Kyrenia
- IV ATD HQ – Limassol
- V ATD HQ – Paphos
- DKD (Raiders Command)
Air
- 1SA Aircraft Flight
- 419 MPA - Air Base Protection Squadron (Lakatamia Air Base)
- 420 MPA - Air Base Protection Squadron (Tymbou Air Base)
- 3SEP (Early Warning Flight) - on Mt. Kormakitis
- 3 MSEP (Warning and Control Station Squadron) - on Mt. Kormakitis
- 4 MSEP (Warning and Control Station Squadron) - on Mt. Kantara
Sea
Cyprus Navy
Equipment of the Cyprus National Guard 1964 - 1974
- (Contains only equipment acquired during this period)
Land
Main Battle Tanks
- T-34/85
- M47 Patton (Captured)
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
- Marmon Herrington Mk-IVF
- Daimler Dingo
- M8 Greyhound
- Shorland Mk-V
Armoured Personnel Carriers
- BTR-152V1
- M113 (Captured)
Armoured Trucks
- C17
Soft-Skin Vehicles
- ZIL 157 GS
- Bedford TK
- UAZ 469
- Land Rover Series II 109
Field Artillery Guns / Anti-Tank Guns
- ZIS-3 / M1942 76.2mm
- M116 Pack 75mm
- 25-Pounder 88mm
- BS-3M / M1944 100mm
- 6-Pounder 57mm
Field Anti-Tank Rifles / Rocket Launchers
- B-10 82mm
- M18 57mm
- M40A1 106mm
- SPG-9 73mm
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
- AT-3 Sagger-B / 9M14M Malutka
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Unguided Weapon
- RG-7V 85mm
- M20 "Super Bazooka" 3.5-inch
- EM-67 90mm
Air
Helicopter
- Agusta Bell AB-47J (Loaned)
- Fairchild Hiller FH-100
Fixed Wing
- Dornier Do-27Q
- Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
- Piper PA-22 Colt 108
- T-6A Harvard (Embargoed)
Sea
- R-41 Group Motor Minesweeper
- P-6 / Type - 083 Motor Torpedo Boat
- Esterel / Kelefstis Stamou Fast Patrol Craft (Embargoed)
Equipment of the Cyprus National Guard 1974 - 1994
- (Contains only equipment acquired during this period)
Land
Main Battle Tanks
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
- VAB-VCI/-VTT
- VAB-VCAC
- EE-9 Cascavel
- EE-3 Jararaca
Field Artillery Guns / Anti-Tank Guns
- M56 105mm
- Mk F-3 155mm
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
- Euromissile Milan-2
Air
Helicopter
- PZL Swidnik Kania (Mil Mi-2 Hoplite)
- SA-342L1 Gazelle
Fixed Wing
- Pilatus PC-9M
Equipment of the Cyprus National Guard 1994 - 2004
- (Contains only equipment acquired during this period)
Land
Main Battle Tanks
Armoured Personnel Carriers
- Leonidas-I
- Leonidas-II
Field Artillery Guns / Anti-Tank Guns
- Zuzana 155mm
- TRF-1 155mm
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
- Euromissile Milan-3
Air
Helicopter
- Mil Mi-35P Hind-F
Combat Actions
1963-1964
Significant combat actions were seen between the Cyprus National Guard and Turkish Cypriot combatants during this period, as the country slid into a state of civil-war.
1964-1974
Sporadic low-intensity conflict continued during parts of this period between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot armed elements across the island.
1974
The Cyprus National Guard, under control of an Athens-inspired junta, seize control of the country in a short-lived coup, beginning on July 15 1974. High intensity combat commences between the Cyprus National Guard and pro-Makarios supporters (including the Tactical Police Reserve). Consequently on July 20 1974, Turkey launches an invasion of the island, which is intensively resisted by the Cyprus National Guard and virtually all Greek Cypriot elements for a period of roughly one month. Ultimately, Turkish forces successfully captured and occupied 37% of the island.
1978
On the 19 February 1978, Egyptian commando forces attempted to intervene in a hijacking situation at Larnaca International Airport, without authorisation from the Republic of Cyprus authorities. The Cypriot National Guard and Police forces surrounding the hijacked DC-8 aircraft responded with force, killing 15 Egyptian commandos and destroying the Egyptian C-130 transport plane in open combat. The result of the incident caused Egypt to severe diplomatic ties with Cyprus for a period of time.
Sources
Creation of National Guard
Order of Battle
- "Cyprus, 1974", by T. Cooper and N. Tselepidis, published October 28 2003 for ACIG.org.
Armaments
- Cyprus National Guard Official Site
- Table 23, Republic of Cyprus: Major National Guard Equipment, 1990, Library of Congress (Additional sourcing: Based on information from The Military Balance, 1989- 1990, London, 1989, 85; and Christopher F. Foss, "Cypriot Rearmament Completed," Jane's Defence Weekly [London], March 12, 1988, 445.)
- APORRITOS ATILLAS, Savvas Vlassis
- "1974: The Unknown Backstage of the Turkish Invasion", Makarios Drousiotis, Nicosia 2002, ISBN 9963-631-02-9
- Cyprus 1974 - The Greek coup and the Turkish invasion, Makarios Drousiotis, Hellenic Distribution Agency
- Conway's: All The World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995
- Cyprus, 1955-1973 By Tom Cooper, www.acig.org
- Cyprus 100 Years Alex Efthyvoulou, Laiki Cultural Bank Archive
- British Pathe Archive
Combat Actions
- The Cyprus Conflict
- "1974: The Unknown Backstage of the Turkish Invasion", Makarios Drousiotis, Nicosia 2002, ISBN 9963-631-02-9
- Cyprus 1974 - The Greek coup and the Turkish invasion, Makarios Drousiotis, Hellenic Distribution Agency
- Cyprus, 1955-1973 By Tom Cooper, www.acig.org
External links
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