Cypriot National Guard
The National Guard of Cyprus (Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά), also known as the Greek Cypriot National Guard or simply National Guard, is the military force of the Republic of Cyprus. This force consists of air, land, sea and special forces elements, and is highly integrated with its first and second line reserves, as well as supporting civilian agencies and paramilitary forces.
| Cypriot National Guard | |
|---|---|
| Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά | |
Emblem of the National Guard of Cyprus | |
Flag of the National Guard General Staff | |
| Motto | Αμύνεσθαι περί πάτρης (Defend the Homeland) |
| Founded | 15 June 1964 |
| Service branches | Cypriot Ground Forces Cyprus Air Force Cyprus Navy |
| Headquarters | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Website | Official Website |
| Leadership | |
| Minister of Defence | Vasilis Palmas |
| Chief of the Cypriot National Guard | Lieutenant General Giorgios Tsitsikostas |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18 years old |
| Conscription | 14 months |
| Active personnel | 12,000 |
| Reserve personnel | 50,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | € 553 Million |
| Percent of GDP | 2.0% |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | Egypt France Brazil Greece Germany Israel Serbia Belgium United Kingdom |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Cyprus military ranks |
The mission of the National Guard is to take all necessary measures for the defense of the Republic of Cyprus for the purpose of dealing with a threatened invasion or any action directed against the independence or territorial integrity of the Republic or threatening to secure the life or property of citizens of the Republic. The main threat to Cyprus comes from the presence and offensive formation of 50,000 Turkish troops stationed in the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Greece currently maintains a garrison of 950 men in the Republic of Cyprus under the designation Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK), but this is not officially part of the Cyprus military and mostly takes orders from Greece's Hellenic Army General Staff.