THE X-RAY OF THE CYPRIOT DEFENCE - DRONES AT ALL LEVELS, MODERN ARMOURED VEHICLES AND ANTI-TANK POWER - WHAT ARE THE FUTURE CAPABILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GUARD? - Filenews 13/4 by Andreas Pogiatzis
The Cypriot field is shaping and will continue to shape specific data in terms of the balance of forces against the Turkish occupying troops. The doctrine of the National Guard, i.e. the basic philosophy on which it was built and continues to operate, remains predominantly defensive, mainly due to the demographic and numerical superiority of the Turkish forces.
Given that the occupying army has the ability to draw, in a short time, almost unlimited means and human resources, the National Guard should and still must be oriented not to numerical equation, but to the formation of conditions that will impose high costs in the event of an offensive action.
Anti-tank power
Since the 1990s, the National Guard has developed strong anti-tank capabilities. Systems such as the French RAC 112 APILAS and HOT missiles, as well as the Franco-German Milan system, were and are still considered to be highly effective weapons against armoured formations. Today, the anti-tank arsenal has been further strengthened with the latest generation Israeli SPIKE LR2 missiles, as well as the French Akeron MP anti-tank system.
These are means that enable the National Guard to engage targets over long distances with great accuracy. Especially in the Cypriot field, where the points of tension - if necessary - will occur at distances of a few tens of kilometers, one understands the value of these weapons.
Speed and Flexibility
Due to the limited area, the reaction times of armoured and mechanized formations are automatically limited. The shift to wheeled vehicle equipment options is justified on the basis of speed and ease of use.
As we had mentioned in previous reports, the GEEF and the Ministry of Defense are considering the acquisition of French VBMR Griffon and Serval VBMR wheeled armoured vehicles through the SAFE regulation, while as revealed by Filenews, American armoured wheeled vehicles from US stocks are also being considered.
Developments may also occur with the upgrade of the VAB vehicle fleet. In its article, La Tribune claimed that discussions are underway with the French company Arquus to upgrade about 80 vehicles of the type. As we are informed, there is still a proposal from another country to upgrade these vehicles, however no decision has been made so far.
In any case, when these plans are implemented, the motorized forces of the National Guard will appear more agile and flexible than in the past.
Drones at all levels
It is now imperative that every group, platoon, company and in general all levels of the hierarchy have their own aerial observation capabilities with drones.
As the Ukrainian field has taught us, a small device worth a few hundred euros can prove to be a lifesaver for the defenders, but also deadly for enemy forces.
Within this framework, the National Guard has now passed into the era of drones. It is worth mentioning that although the first purchase of a drone was made in 2019 with the Israeli Aerostar Tactical UAS, there is now a need for larger numbers at a lower cost.
In this regard, a few months ago, the company Swarmly Aero donated the first two H-10 Poseidon drones to the National Guard Artillery Command, which is expected to be equipped with many more drones of the same type.
This action will not only involve one type of UAV or drone, but a variety of formats that will serve various missions. In addition, the National Guard intends to equip itself with unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the Navy Command. The so-called roving ammunition is also expected to enter the equation, which gives capabilities to strike targets with high accuracy.
The future capabilities of the National Guard
Based on these plans, it is expected that in the coming years the National Guard will continue to evolve towards Western and NATO standards while having the characteristics of a mobile force with great firepower. In addition to what we have mentioned, in the equation we must take into account the strong multi-layer anti-aircraft umbrella created by Cyprus as well as the modern capabilities of striking ships and surface units with the upgrade of the Exocet missiles to the Block 3 version with a strike range of 200 kilometers.
However, there are several open issues that will need to be resolved in the coming years, such as staff shortages, which are in the process of being regulated by recent government decisions to attract more SYOPs. It is imperative to solve the problem with the tank fleet of the National Guard, which in the coming years will be on the verge of obsolescence. On this issue, discussions are taking place and as it seems, the solution of the Israeli Merkava tanks (Mk III version) is preferred.
The correctness and correct approach to these plans was recognized by the deputies of the Defense Committee during the last meeting. It is worth mentioning that the composition of the Committee, which is expected to change with the election of the new Parliament, offered the maximum of its capabilities, away from party ideologies and expediencies, so that there is good cooperation between the Parliament, the NGNGS and the Ministry of Defense, with the sole aim of the country's Defense.
* Photo / National Guard General Staff
