| 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[1] |
| Reserve personnel | 50,000[1] |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | € 553 Million |
| Percent of GDP | 2.0% |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers |  United States France Brazil Greece Germany Israel Russia Serbia Belgium United Kingdom |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Cyprus military ranks |
The National Guard of Cyprus (Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά, romanized: Ethniki Froura), also known as the Greek Cypriot National Guard or simply the National Guard, is the military force of the Republic of Cyprus. It 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.
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.[2] The main threat to Cyprus comes from the presence of 40,000 Turkish troops stationed in Northern Cyprus.[3]
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.[4]
- ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. pp. 80–81. ISBN 9781032508955.
- ^ "Ο περί Εθνικής Φρουράς Νόμος του 2011 (19(I)/2011)". CyLaw.
- ^ "ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΔΙΑΤΑΓΗ ΑΡΧΗΓΟΥ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΦΡΟΥΡΑΣ ΤΗΣ 1ης ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ 2023" (PDF). army.gov.cy.
- ^ "Θέλουν να αποσύρουν ελληνικό στρατό από την Κύπρο, νομίζοντας ότι πάλι θα δικαστεί ο "επόμενος"" (in Greek). 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2023-05-08.