In 2021, the figures and the proportions in manpower and weapons systems between the National Guard (NF) and the Turkish occupying forces are unchanged, compared to the previous year, according to the annual report of the Cyprus Center for Strategic Studies entitled “The Military Forces in Cyprus 2021 ”.
The report in the section “Findings” highlights certain quantitative and qualitative trends and developments that, as mentioned, have a negative effect on the defense of the island. “These are gaps and additional problems related to the reduction of the term in the Armed Forces, the obsolete material and equipment of the Force, the limited financial resources and the levels of technology. These are elements that, if not addressed and reversed in the context of an integrated coherent defense policy to strengthen the sector, will further erode the power gap between the occupying forces and E.F. to the detriment of K.D “, the report states.
The director of the Center, Dr. Aristos Aristotelous, also states in his findings that “the official announcement and overt creation of a Turkish base of Drones attackers in the occupied territories gives a new dimension and scope to the air threat against Cyprus and the security of the Eastern Mediterranean” and that At this level, this illegal Turkish action “seals the permanence of Ankara's expansionist intentions in the Cyprus issue, as well as the use of the occupied territories as a springboard for the projection of military power and the exercise of geopolitical influence to the detriment of the region's interests.”
The soul potential of E.F. , the report says, numbers around 9,500 as in 2020. It is smaller than in previous years, due to a low birth rate and a drastic reduction in term. It is noted that for a period of at least 4 or even 6 months during the 14-month term of the drawers, until they are trained and judged as combatants, the combat personnel themselves are only the 3,000 of the conventional hoplites.
In the occupied territories, the Turkish military has around 34,000 and is also reduced compared to previous years due to the reduction of the mandate, fugitive army and assignment of personnel to missions inside and outside Turkey. According to the report, for each National Guard there are 3.5 soldiers of the occupying forces in Cyprus.
For every soldier on the side of K.D. there are 1.07 soldiers in the occupied territories.
The report states that in its entirety the material of E.F. It remains numerically unchanged and largely obsolete, with increased maintenance and replacement needs, “a fact that faces difficulties due to financial constraints as well as US” bans “affecting purchases from traditional suppliers.” According to the report, there is no significant change in the equipment of the occupying forces, which is maintained at a fairly high level of capacity and firepower.
Turkey, with its Air Force and Navy and proximity to the island (75 km), has almost complete superiority over air and sea, given the absence of corresponding Cypriot naval and air means. The anti-aircraft capabilities of the KD, although remarkable due to Tor M-1 and Buk M1-2 and enhanced with Mistral, have great scope to cover to increase their effectiveness in dealing with the threat from the Turkish Air Force, the report says. exhibition.
In the Navy, Cyprus has a small number of vessels, mainly for patrols and Search and Rescue Operations (SAR). However, apart from some strengthening of Exoset systems in recent years, there is no corresponding military capability to effectively prevent illegal activities carried out under the protection of the Turkish Fleet in the Cypriot EEZ.
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