List of equipment of the Cypriot National Guard

The Cypriot National Guard is a combined arms force and represents the organised air, land and sea capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus. Equipment is mostly imported from other countries, since the country has very limited heavy industrial and commercial industrial capacity due to its small population and land mass.

This list contains equipment which is in use by the Cypriot National Guard.

Infantry Equipment

Camouflages Model Origin Type Photo Details CamouflageMulticam Camouflage pattern Standard issue Woodland Digital Camouflage pattern Unused since 2017UCPCamouflage pattern(Retired at an unknown date)Cypriot SandstoneCamouflage patternBeing phased outGreek LizardCamouflage patternUsed by ELDYK

Small Arms Model Origin Cartridge Photo NotesHandgunsHK USP9x19mm Parabellum Standard Issue Sidearm. FN Five-Seven FN 5.7×28mm 250 acquired in 2000.Submachine guns FN P90 FN 5.7×28mm 350 acquired in 2000.H&K MP59x19mm ParabellumUsed by OYK.Assault rifles HK G3 7.62×51mm NATO Standard Issue Rifle. The versions operated by the National Guard are mainly the G3A3 and G3A4 (shown in the picture, the upper one is the G3A4 and the lower one is the G3A3). AK-74M 5.45×39mm AK-74M version in use by the National Guard.Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer". Small Arms Review. Vol. 16 no. 3. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-03-06.Vz.587.62×39mmUsed for a brief period of time by the Special Forces in 2016. Partially in use by Military Police.Colt M16A25.56×45mm NATOUsed by OYK.Colt M55.56×45mm NATO 11.5 inch barrel length. Entered service in 2024, used by OYK. Also in use by the MIAU of the Cyprus Police.FN SCAR-L 5.56×45mm NATO Used by LOK and OYK.FN SCAR-H (TPR Variant)7.62×51mm NATO IWI Tavor X955.56×45mm NATOBoth 330mm and 419mm barrel length versions. Used by LOK and OYK.Sniper rifles Accuracy International Arctic Warfare .338 Lapua Magnum AXMC variant used by the Special Forces.Accuracy International AX50.50 BMGUsed by the Special Forces.FN Model 30-117.62×51mm NATOMachine guns MG 3 7.62×51mm NATOLarge number in service.HK217.62×51mm NATOA variation of the HK G3 with a heavier barrel. Made by EAS.FN MAG7.62×51mm NATO IWI Negev 5.56×45mm NATO Negev SF and Negev NG-7 SF versions. Used by mechanised infantry, paratroopers and LOK. Equipped with red dot and thermal sights.Boguslavsky, Eyal. "Cypriot paratroopers use Israeli weapons". Israel Defense.7.62×51mm NATOFN MINIMI5.56×45mm NATOMinimi Mk2 Para TR version.M2 Browning.50 BMGGrenade launchersSTK 40 AGL40 mm grenadeMounted on vehicles and on small arms. M203 grenade launcher 40 mm grenadeAnti-tank weaponsM72 LAWRocket-propelled grenade66mm RPG-7V Rocket-propelled grenade 85mm ~1000 in service.Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). . Produced in country since 2025. M40A1 Recoilless rifle 105mm 144 M40A1s as of 2016.Military Balance 2016, p. 85.RAC 112 APILASRecoilless anti-tank weapon112mm~1000 in service.9M117 BastionAnti-tank guided missile100mmLine-of-sight, beam-riding missile (LOSBR) fired from the BMP-3 IFV. 700 missiles delivered in 1996.9M117 RefleksAnti-tank guided missile125mmFired from the 125mm main gun of the T80U and T80UK main battle tanks of the National Guard. MILAN III Anti-tank guided missile 115mm More than 1250 missiles.SPIKE LR2 Anti-tank guided missile130mmFitted on LAPV Enok (single launcher). 5,5 km range.AKERON MPAnti-tank guided missile140mmFitted on Sherpa Light.(single launcher).Euromissile MephistoAnti-tank guided missile150mmDelivered in 1988 for use on Gazelle helicopters and VAB-VCAC. ~500 missiles.

Land Forces

Transport, Logistics and Support +ModelOriginPhotoQuantityNotesUtility/Cargo vehiclesMAN FX (Steyr)Multi-role. Used to transport personnel, tanks, anti-aircraft systems and howitzers.Steyr 1491MAN RMMV TG MILSeveral Variants. Commonly used to transport the TRF1 towed howitzers and personnel.Mercedes-Benz SprinterMainly used as Mobile Communication Centers and military Ambulances. Can support satellite communications and high-speed data transfer.Iveco DailyUsed to transport personnel. (Third generation 2014)Steyr-Puch PinzgauerSome carrying Mistral Manpads (Atlas System).Renault TRM 10000Used to transport and support the MM40 Exocet anti-ship missiles of the Navy Command.Mercedes-Benz G-ClassACMAT VLRASome used to carry the MO-120-RT mortars.Mitsubishi L200125Ford Ranger Double Cab XL602,0 L diesel 170 hp engine.Isuzu D-Max Double60Mitsubishi PajeroTransferred from Cyprus Police.CFMOTO U-10 PRO Used by Special Forces (LOK)

Armoured vehicles

Model Origin Photo Variant Quantity NotesMain battle tanksT-80T-80U54A total of 82 main battle tanks acquired between 1996 and 2011. May be replaced by Leclerc or Leopard 2.T-80UK28AMX-30 AMX-30B2 52 Another 61 AMX-30s have been withdrawn from active service and are waiting to be scrapped; some will be kept for museums. To be replaced.Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) BMP-3 BMP-3 (Basic Version) 43 Deal worth $68 million, and delivered in 1995–1996.Armored reconnaissance vehicles EE-9 Cascavel Cascavel Mk IV/V 126 Entered service from 1984 to 1988. It has a top speed of 80 km/h off-road and 110 km/h on-road. It is armed with a 90 mm Belgian Cockerill Mk 3 gun, improved day and night optics with laser rangefinder, and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft MG. EE-3 Jararaca EE-3 Tank destroyer 36 Entered service from 1984 to 1985, 24 are armed with a MILAN ATGM system. The vehicle has a 3-man crew with a top speed of 100 km/h and is armed with 1 x 20-mm Rh202 autocannon, and 1 x 12.7mm machine gun.Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) ELVO Leonidas Leonidas-2 197 Based on the Austrian Saurer 4K 4FA. Some fitted with E44-E Mortars.VABVAB-PC4A total of 147 vehicles are operated by the National Guard. The VAB VCAC variant is equipped with the Euromissile Mephisto anti-tank missile system. (See infantry weapons above.) The VAB VCI is fitted with a turret mounted 20 mm gun. Some may by upgraded in the future by Arquus. VAB-VTT98 VAB VCI27 VAB VCAC 18 EE-11 Urutu Unknown 10 Received in 1984. Status uncertain.Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) BOV M16 Miloš Artillery reconnaissance – command vehicle 8 Part of a $50 mil. deal that included Nora B-52. Delivered in 2019. The 8 BOV M16 are used as artillery reconnaissance and battery command vehicles for the 24 Nora B-52 self-propelled howitzers of the National Guard.Armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) BREM-80 BREM-80U 8 Based on the T-80 chassis.AMX-30AMX-30D2Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle Euromissile Mephisto1818 systems. Mounted on the 18 VAB VCAC APCs of the National Guard with four ready-to-fire HOT-2 anti-tank missiles and eight more in reserve, 500 missiles.LAPV EnokENOK 4.8 AB 1 + 59 on order Armed with Spike LR2 missiles. First displayed to the public in October 2025. Sherpa Light 12 Station Wagon version ordered in May 2025. Armed with Akeron MP missile. Possible additional armament consists of 12,7mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher.Land Rover Wolf W/ MILAN / ?Multiple systems of MILAN mounted on Land Rover Defender Wolfs. Significant Numbers, exact numbers unknown. 115 mm, Tandem shaped charge with 2 km max range.

Artillery Model Origin Type Photo Number NotesRocket artillery LRSVM Tamnava 122mm (and 262mm) self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 6 Bought 1 battery of 6 launchers. First displayed to the public in October 2025. M-63 Plamen 128mm towed multiple rocket launcher 24 Acquired (reportedly) 24 towed pieces in the early 1980s from former Yugoslavia. M-77 Oganj 128mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 8 Status uncertain. BM-21 Grad 122mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 4 Probably second hand. To be phased out.Self-propelled artillery Nora B-52 155mm self-propelled howitzer 24 First batch received in 2019. Zuzana 155mm self-propelled howitzer 12 Ordered in 2001 and delivered in 2007 via Greece. Mk F3 155mm 155mm self-propelled howitzer 12 Delivered in 1991.M107175mm self-propelled howitzer12M110A2203mm self-propelled howitzer8Tatrapan Artillery command vehicle3Artillery command and control centres for the Zuzana howitzers.AMX-VCIArtillery command vehicleUnknownTowed artillery M-56 105mm towed howitzer 72 Delivered in 1986.M1944 BS-3100mm towed gun20M-114155mm towed howitzer12 TRF1 155mm towed howitzer 12 Delivered in 1991. MortarsE44-E Mortar81mm mortar180Some carried on Leonidas APCs. M29 Mortar 81mm mortar Unknown In use as of 2000.Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Cyprus". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001–2002. p. 1509. M30 Mortar 106,7mm mortar 26 To be fully retired.The Military Balance 2016, p. 85. MO-120-RT 120mm mortar 116 Delivered in 1990–1991. 12 equipped on mortar carriers, carried by ACMAT VLRA. 8,1 km range with standard projectiles.

Airforce

Air defense Name Origin Type Photo In service Notes Surface-to-air missilesBarak MXSurface-to-air missile system Possibly 2 batteries.In operation as of December 2024. Most likely: 2 batteries consisting of 4 launchers each, 150 km version. Aspide Surface to air missile system 24 6 batteries/130 missiles. Utilized with the Skyguard system (Othellos) using Oerlikon GDF 35mm. 12 Skyguard radars. Mistral Man-portable air defense system 30 (300 missiles) 18 Mistral MANPADS and 12 x2 Mistral ATLAS system mounted on Pinzgauer utility vehicles. More than 300 missiles. More missile on order as of June 2023. TOR M-1 Surface to air missile system 6 Delivered by Greece in replacement for the S-300.~150 missiles. Buk M1-2 Surface to air missile system 8 Total number of systems is unknown. Possibly 2 batteries with 4 systems each.9K32 Strela-2 Man-portable air defense system100Operational numbers may be less.9S737M Ranzhir-MMobile command centerUnknownMobile Command Centre for the coordination of the TOR air defense network system Anti aircraft artillery GDF-005 Anti-aircraft gun24 2x35mm anti-aircraft gun. Part of the Skyguard (Othellos) system along Aspide SAMs.Zastava M-55Anti-aircraft gun503x20mm anti-aircraft gun.

Aircraft Aircraft Origin Type Photo Variant In service NotesFixed wing aircraftEmbraer ERJ-135VIP TransportEMB-135BJ 1Donated by Greece to Cyprus in September 2022. The aircraft is used to transport the President of the Republic and other government officials.Air Tractor AT-802Fire-fighting2Transferred in February 2025 from the Department of Forests to the newly created fire-fighting unit of the National Guard. 3,1 ton water tank capacity. HelicoptersAirbus H145 Armed Reconnaissance HelicopterH145M5Another 1 on order with an option to buy an additional 6. First 4 delivered in 2025. Equipped with the HForce weapons system. Carrying 12,7mm machine gun and 12 rocket pot. It may also carry Spike ER missiles in the future. Aérospatiale Gazelle Utility/Anti-tank Gazelle SA 342L 4 Armed with 4 HOT Anti-tank Guided Missiles. AgustaWestland AW139 SAR/Utility AW1393Used primarily for Search and Rescue (SAR) in coordination with JRCC Larnaca.Bell 206 Utility/TransportLongRanger III2Three acquired from Belgian source in the 1980s. One lost in crash in 2003.Unmanned aerial vehicles Aerostar Surveillance/Recon 4 In service since 2019. +4 on order. IAI Searcher Surveillance/Recon 2 Swarmly Poseidon H-10Surveillance/Recon/VTOL10Used by the artillery Brigade for recon and target designation. Entered service 2025. Retired aircraft include the Mil Mi-35P.

Naval Forces

Surface defense Name Origin Type Photo In service Notes Surface-to-surface missiles MM40 Exocet Mobile surface-to-surface missile 3 batteries. Block 3+ modernization, part of $250 million order, bought alongside Mistral 3.

Surface Ships