# Cyprus Air Command > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cyprus_Air_Command > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cyprus_Air_Command.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Air_Command > Source revision: 1354986379 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Air warfare branch of Cyprus' military}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Air Command of Cyprus | native_name = {{nativename|el|nolink=on|Διοίκηση Αεροπορίας Κύπρου}} | image = 180px | image_size = | caption = Cyprus Air Force emblem | start_date = 1964 | country = {{CYP}} | branch = [Air force](/source/Air_force) | role = [Aerial warfare](/source/Aerial_warfare) | size = 1,200 personnel
15 helicopters, 3 fixed wing aircraft, 4 unmanned aerial vehicles. On order: 2 helicopters + 4 UAVs | command_structure = [Cypriot National Guard](/source/Cypriot_National_Guard) | battles = [2026 Iran war](/source/2026_Iran_war) *[2026 Iranian strikes on Akrotiri and Dhekelia](/source/2026_Iranian_strikes_on_Akrotiri_and_Dhekelia) | commander1 = Βrigadier General George Alexandrou | identification_symbol = 80px | identification_symbol_label = [Roundel](/source/Military_aircraft_insignia) | identification_symbol_2 = 80px|border | identification_symbol_2_label = [Fin flash](/source/Fin_flash) | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_3_label = | aircraft_helicopter = [Airbus H145](/source/Airbus_H145) | aircraft_helicopter_utility = [Aérospatiale Gazelle](/source/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Gazelle), [AgustaWestland AW139](/source/AgustaWestland_AW139), [Bell 206](/source/Bell_206) | aircraft_recon = [Aerostar](/source/Aerostar), [IAI Searcher](/source/IAI_Searcher) | aircraft_transport = [Embraer ERJ-135](/source/Embraer_ERJ-135) | aircraft_general = Firefighting Aircraft: [Air Tractor AT-802](/source/Air_Tractor_AT-802) }} The '''Cyprus Air Command''' ({{langx|el|Διοίκηση Αεροπορίας Κύπρου|Dioikisi Aeroporias Kyprou}}, {{langx|tr|Kıbrıs Hava Komutanlığı}}), also known as the '''Cyprus Air Force''' or '''Cypriot Air Force''', is the armed air wing of the [National Guard](/source/Cyprus_National_Guard). This force is equipped with [attack](/source/Attack_helicopter) and [anti-tank](/source/Anti-tank_warfare) [helicopter](/source/helicopter)s, [surface-to-air missile](/source/surface-to-air_missile) systems and integrated [radar](/source/radar) systems. == History == The history of Cypriot aviation began on 16 August 1960, after it won its independence from the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), when an Air Wing was established on the island which. It was equipped with a small number of [light aircraft](/source/aircraft) and mainly performed search and rescue tasks ([SAR](/source/Search_and_rescue)), transport of the sick, control of fires and [marine pollution](/source/water_pollution) as well as defense and police forces on the Cypriot coast and territory. Until 1987, the [aircraft](/source/aircraft) of the Cypriot aviation still operated with civilian [brands](/source/brands), as the usual military nature of the young [air force](/source/air_force) had not yet developed. In the same year, 3 [light helicopters](/source/Utility_helicopter) [Bell 206](/source/Bell_206), 4 [utility helicopter](/source/utility_helicopter)s [Aérospatiale Gazelle](/source/A%C3%A9rospatiale_SA_341_Gazelle) and 2 [intermediate trainers](/source/Training_aircraft) [Pilatus PC-9](/source/Pilatus_PC-9). From this moment on, the Cypriot air force began to adopt for its aircraft a camouflage livery and nationality insignia with the national flag and the classic [cockade](/source/cockade) that perfectly follows that of [Greece](/source/Greece), the nation with which it exists a strong bond, not only military.'' JP4 - Monthly of Aeronautica '' - n ° 8 year XXXIV - August 2005. In July 2022, the Cypriot government announced that six [Eurocopter EC145](/source/Eurocopter_EC145) helicopters would be procured from Airbus with an option for six more. These helicopters would cover the roles of reconnaissance and attack. They will be replacing the ageing [Mil Mi-24](/source/Mil_Mi-24) helicopters in service which are hard and costly to maintain. [Turkish Cypriot](/source/Northern_Cyprus) authorities have called the helicopter purchase as a “provocation”.{{cite web |title=Cyprus signs deal for Airbus attack helicopters |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/cyprus-signs-deal-airbus-attack-helicopters-85636687 |website=abcnews.go.com |publisher=ABC News |access-date=15 July 2022}} The helicopters arrived in March 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-24 |title=Airbus delivers first two H145Ms to Cyprus {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-03-airbus-delivers-first-two-h145ms-to-cyprus |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=www.airbus.com |language=en}} In March 2026, the air defenses of the Air Command were placed on alert following the [strikes in Iran](/source/2026_Iran_war), working with [Greek](/source/Greece) and assisting [British](/source/UK) forces in tracking aerial threats against the island including the [Sovereign Base Areas](/source/Sovereign_Base_Areas) where British forces failed to intercept [shahed drones](/source/shahed_drones) which impacted [RAF Akrotiri](/source/RAF_Akrotiri).{{Cite web |date=2026-03-02 |title=Paphos airport returns to operation after evacuation |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/03/02/paphos-airport-evacuated-reports |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=cyprus-mail.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-03-03 |title=Διαβεβαιώσεις Κυβέρνησης ότι δεν υπάρχουν αμερικανικά αεροσκάφη στην Πάφο. «Η Εθνική Φρουρά εντόπισε τα drone» |url=https://cyprustimes.com/politiki/diavevaioseis-kyvernisis-oti-den-yparchoun-amerikanika-aeroskafi-stin-pafo-i-ethniki-froura-entopise-ta-drone/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=Cyprus Times |language=el}}{{Cite web |last=Tomaras |first=Apostolos |title=Σε επιφυλακή η αεράμυνα της Κύπρου |url=https://www.kathimerini.com.cy/gr/politiki/se-epifylaki-i-aeramyna-tis-kyproy |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=Kathimerini.com.cy |language=el}}{{Cite web |date=2026-03-02 |title=Cyprus slams UK after Akrotiri drone strike forced locals to flee |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/cyprus-slams-uk-after-akrotiri-drone-strike-forced-locals-to-flee/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}} == Organisation == The Cyprus Air Force consists of two aircraft squadrons.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/fleet/cyprus-af-britten-norman-bn2b-21-maritime-defender.htm|title=Cyprus Air Command|date=9 April 2016|website=Aeroflight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507225342/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/fleet/cyprus-af-britten-norman-bn2b-21-maritime-defender.htm|archive-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live}} Note that the aircraft of the Cyprus Police operate under a separate command-structure during peacetime. * 450th Attack Helicopter Squadron (450 M.E/P){{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/tag/cyprus-air-force|title=Cyprus Air Force|website=Aeroflight|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509081023/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/tag/cyprus-air-force|archive-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live}} * 460th Search And Rescue Squadron (460 MED) == Air Force bases and stations == * Andreas Papandreou AFB, Paphos (ACTIVE) :The primary airbase of the Cyprus Air Force, this base adjacent to the [Paphos International Airport](/source/Paphos_International_Airport) has a runway, taxiway, hardened aircraft-shelters, and integrated command, control and communication facilities. * [Lakatamia AFB](/source/Lakatamia_Air_Force_Base), Nicosia (HEADQUARTERS) :The reserve airbase of the Cyprus Air Force lay just south of the Cypriot capital of [Nicosia](/source/Nicosia). The base rarely hosted fixed-wing aircraft, and simply served as a staging-post for helicopters operating in and out of the Nicosia area. * Troodos Stations (ACTIVE) :The [Troodos Mountains](/source/Troodos_Mountains), the highest mountain range in Cyprus, hosts a number of radar and air-defense facilities. Their unit designations and deployment status are not made public. ==Equipment== === Aircraft === {|class=wikitable width="100%" ! width="15%"| Aircraft ! width="15%"| Origin ! width="15%"| Type ! width="20%"| Photo ! width="10%"| Variant ! width="5%"| In service ! width="20%"| Notes |- ! colspan="7" |Fixed-wing [aircraft](/source/aircraft) |- |[Embraer ERJ-135](/source/Embraer_ERJ-135) |{{Flag|Brazil}} |[VIP](/source/Very_important_person) Transport |center|frameless|150x150px |[EMB-135BJ](/source/Embraer_ERJ_family) | align="center" |1 |Donated by Greece to Cyprus in September 2022. The aircraft is used to transport the President of the Republic and other government officials.{{Cite web |last=HD |first=NEMESIS |date=2 September 2022 |title="Ένδειξη κύρους της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας" {{!}} Έτοιμο το Κυπριακό κυβερνητικό αεροσκάφος |url=https://nemesishd.gr/news/endeixi-kyroys-tis-kypriakis-dimokr/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |language=el}} |- |[Air Tractor AT-802](/source/Air_Tractor_AT-802) |{{Flag|United States}} |[Fire-fighting](/source/Firefighting) |center|frameless|193x193px | | align="center" |2 |Transferred 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.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Τελετή Αλλαγής Διοικητικής Υπαγωγής Μοίρας Αεροπυρόσβεσης - Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Φρουράς - Gov.cy |url=https://www.gov.cy/army/mi-katigoriopoiimeno/teleti-allagis-dioikitikis-ypagogis-moiras-aeropyrosvesis/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.gov.cy |language=el}}{{Cite web |last=e amyna |title=fire |url=https://x.com/e_amyna/status/1894443668414640521}} |- ! colspan="7" | [Helicopter](/source/Helicopter)s |- |[Airbus H145](/source/Eurocopter_EC145) |{{Flag|France}}
{{Flag|Germany}} |[Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter](/source/Armed_helicopter) |center|frameless|150x150px |[H145M](/source/Eurocopter_EC145) | align="center" |5 |Another 1 on order with an option to buy an additional 6. First 4 delivered in 2025. Equipped with the [https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/military-helicopters/hforce HForce] weapons system. Carrying 12,7mm machine gun and 12 rocket pot. It may also carry [Spike ER](/source/Spike_(missile)) missiles in the future.{{cite web |title=Cyprus Air Force H145M rears its head |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/cyprus-air-force-h145m-rears-its-head |website=scramble.nl |publisher=Scaramble |access-date=2 July 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-25 |title=Κύπρος: Αυτά είναι τα νέα ελικόπτερα της Εθνικής Φρουράς που "τρέμουν" οι Τούρκοι [pics] |url=https://www.gargalianoionline.gr/κύπρος-αυτά-είναι-τα-νέα-ελικόπτερα-τη/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=Γαργαλιάνοι Online - Οι ειδήσεις και τα νέα της Τριφυλιας, της Μεσσηνίας και της Πελοποννήσου στην ώρα τους! |language=el}}{{cite web | title=Η Εθνική Φρουρά παρέλαβε τα δύο πρώτα ελικόπτερα H-145M | website=Defence Review | date=2025-03-15 | url=https://defencereview.gr/i-ethniki-froyra-parelave-ta-dyo-prota-e/ | language=el | access-date=2025-03-17}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-24 |title=Airbus delivers first two H145Ms to Cyprus {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-03-airbus-delivers-first-two-h145ms-to-cyprus |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.airbus.com |language=en}} |- | [Aérospatiale Gazelle](/source/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Gazelle) | {{Flag|France}} | [Utility](/source/Utility_helicopter)/[Anti-tank](/source/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Gazelle) | center|frameless|150x150px | [Gazelle SA 342L](/source/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Gazelle) | align="center" | 4 | Armed with 4 [HOT](/source/HOT_(missile)) [Anti-tank Guided Missiles](/source/Anti-tank_guided_missile).{{cite web |year=2018 |title=World Air Forces 2018 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-world-air-forces-maintaining-strength-443655/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202153055/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-world-air-forces-maintaining-strength-443655/ |archive-date=2 December 2017 |access-date=4 December 2017 |publisher=Flightglobal Insight}} |- | [AgustaWestland AW139](/source/AgustaWestland_AW139) | {{Flag|Italy}} | [SAR](/source/Search_and_rescue)/[Utility](/source/Utility_helicopter) | center|frameless|150x150px |[AW139](/source/AgustaWestland_AW139) | align="center" |3 |Used primarily for [Search and Rescue (SAR)](/source/Search_and_rescue) in coordination with [JRCC Larnaca](/source/Cyprus_Joint_Rescue_Coordination_Center). |- |[Bell 206](/source/Bell_206) |{{Flag|United States}} |[Utility/Transport](/source/Utility_helicopter) |center|frameless|150x150px |[LongRanger III](/source/Bell_206) | align="center" |2 |Three acquired from Belgian source in the 1980s. One lost in crash in 2003. |- ! colspan="7" |[Unmanned aerial vehicle](/source/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle)s |- | [Aerostar](/source/Aeronautics_Defense_Systems) | {{Flag|Israel}} | [Surveillance](/source/Surveillance)/[Recon](/source/Reconnaissance) | center|frameless|150x150px | | align="center" | 4 | In service since 2019. +4 on order. |- | [IAI Searcher](/source/IAI_Searcher) | {{Flag|Israel}} | [Surveillance](/source/Surveillance)/[Recon](/source/Reconnaissance) | center|frameless|150x150px | | align="center" |2 | {{Cite web |date=March 2017 |title=Current Aircraft Inventory | Cyprus Air Command |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/in-service/cyprus-af-current-aircraft-inventory.htm |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102151319/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/in-service/cyprus-af-current-aircraft-inventory.htm |url-status=dead }} |- |[https://www.swarmly.aero/ Swarmly] Poseidon H-10 |{{Flag|Cyprus}} |[Surveillance](/source/Surveillance)/[Recon](/source/Reconnaissance)/[VTOL](/source/V%2FSTOL) | | | align="center" | |Used by the artillery Brigade for recon and target designation. Entered service 2025.{{Cite web |last=Πογιατζή |first=Ανδρέας |date=2025-12-04 |title=Με νέα κυπριακά μη επανδρωμένα αεροσκάφη εξοπλίστηκε η Εθνική Φρουρά – Τι ισχύει για τις προσλήψεις νέων χειριστών (εικόνα) |url=https://www.philenews.com/kipros/koinonia/article/1653476/me-nea-kipriaka-mi-epandromena-aeroskafi-exoplistike-i-ethniki-froura-ti-ischii-gia-tin-proslipsi-neon-chiriston-ikona/ |access-date=2025-12-07 |website=Philenews |language=el}}{{Cite web |date=2025-12-04 |title=Το UAV Poseidon της κυπριακής Swarmly στο Πυροβολικό της Εθνικής Φρουράς - Battle Proven στην Ουκρανία |url=https://defenceredefined.com.cy/to-uav-poseidon-tis-kypriakis-swarmly-sto-pyrovoliko-tis-ethnikis-froyras-battle-proven-stin-oykrania/ |access-date=2025-12-07 |language=el}} |} Retired aircraft include the [Mil Mi-35P](/source/Mil_Mi-24).{{cite web|url=https://www.key.aero/article/cyprus-transfers-remaining-mi-35p-gunships-serbia|title=Cyprus transfers remaining Mi-35P gunships to Serbia|access-date=2024-08-07|date=2023-11-30|first=Jon|last=Lake|publisher=Key Publishing}} === Air defense === thumb|right|A Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile system {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! width="15%" |Name ! width="15%" |Origin ! width="10%" |Type ! width="30%" |Photo ! width="5%" |In service ! width="25%" |Notes |- ! colspan="6" |[Surface-to-air missile](/source/Surface-to-air_missile)s |- |[Barak MX](/source/Barak_8) |{{Flag|ISR|name=Israel}} |[Surface-to-air missile](/source/Surface-to-air_missile) system |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |Possibly 2 batteries.{{cite web |date=2025-03-15 |title=Εθνική Φρουρά: Τον Ιούλιο σε πλήρη επιχειρησιακή ετοιμότητα τα νέα αντιαεροπορικά Barak MX |url=https://defencereview.gr/ethniki-froyra-ton-ioylio-se-pliri-epich/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Defence Review |language=el}} |In operation as of December 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=Boosting Cyprus' defense is key so close to the war-wracked Mideast, defense minister says |url=https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-israel-arms-missile-air-defense-00db942acb6884103ead6a00552f5c57 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-04 |title=Κύπρος: Νέα Αντιαεροπορικά Συστήματα Barak-MX παρέλαβε η Εθνική Φρουρά |url=https://defencereview.gr/barakl-8-new-air-defense-system-for-cyprus/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Defence Review |language=el}}{{Cite news |date=2024-12-05 |title=Cyprus takes delivery of Israeli air defence system, report says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cyprus-takes-delivery-israeli-air-defence-system-report-says-2024-12-05/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Turkey's biggest enemy acquires Israel's most powerful defense system, more dangerous than Russian S-300, the country is... |url=https://www.india.com/news/world/turkeys-biggest-enemy-acquires-israels-most-powerful-weapon-more-dangerous-than-russian-s-300-the-country-is-greek-cyprus-cypriot-weapon-is-barak-mx-air-defense-systems-8072474/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=www.india.com |language=en}} |- |[Aspide](/source/Aspide) |{{flag|Italy}} |[Surface-to-air missile](/source/Surface-to-air_missile) system |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |24 |6 batteries/130 missiles. Utilized with the Skyguard system (Othellos) using Oerlikon GDF 35mm. 12 [Skyguard](/source/Oerlikon_GDF) radars.{{Cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php}}{{Cite web |title=Εξοπλισμός Εθνικής Φρουράς (Κύπρος) |url=http://www.ellinikos-stratos.com/stratos/cyprus.asp |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=www.ellinikos-stratos.com}} |- |[Mistral](/source/Mistral_(missile)) |{{Flag|France}} |[Man-portable air defense system](/source/Man-portable_air-defense_system) |center|frameless|200x200px|Cypriot SHORAD | align="center" |30 (300 missiles) |18 Mistral [MANPADS](/source/Man-portable_air-defense_system) and 12 x2 Mistral ATLAS system mounted on [Pinzgauer](/source/Pinzgauer_High-Mobility_All-Terrain_Vehicle) utility vehicles. More than 300 missiles. More missile on order as of June 2023.{{cite news |last1=Irish |first1=John |date=20 June 2023 |title=Five European states sign letter of intent to buy Mistral air defence systems |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/five-european-states-sign-letter-intent-buy-mistral-air-defence-systems-sources-2023-06-19/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=reuters.com |agency=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Polignosi |title=Εθνική Φρουρά |url=http://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=3372&-V=limmata |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=www.polignosi.com}} |- |[TOR M-1](/source/Tor_missile_system) |{{flag|Soviet Union}} ----{{Flag|Russia}} |[Surface-to-air missile](/source/Surface-to-air_missile) system |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |6 |Delivered by Greece in [replacement for the S-300](/source/Cypriot_S-300_crisis).{{Cite web |title=Εθνική Φρουρά - Αεροπορία |url=http://www.army.gov.cy/el/aeroporias |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928141100/http://www.army.gov.cy/el/aeroporias |archive-date=28 September 2022 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=www.army.gov.cy |language=en}}~150 missiles. |- |[Buk M1-2](/source/Buk_missile_system) |{{flag|Soviet Union}} ----{{Flag|Russia}} |[Surface-to-air missile](/source/Surface-to-air_missile) system |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |8 |Total number of systems is unknown. Possibly 2 batteries with 4 systems each.{{Cite web |date=May 2008 |title=The Cypriot Missile Crisis |url=http://geimint.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/cypriot-missile-crisis.html |access-date=2018-05-08 |website=geimint.blogspot.co.uk}}{{Cite web |last=Νικολοβγένης |first=Θεόδωρος |date=2021-06-05 |title=Συγκριτικό: Εθνική Φρουρά εναντίον Κατοχικού Στρατού (Μέρος Α') |url=https://defencereview.gr/sygkritiko-ethniki-froyra-enantio-ka/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Defence Review |language=el}} |- |[9K32 Strela-2](/source/9K32_Strela-2) |{{flag|Soviet Union}} ----{{Flag|Russia}} |[Man-portable air defense system](/source/Man-portable_air-defense_system) |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |100 |Operational numbers may be less.{{Cite web |title=Cypriot Armed Forces - Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG) Land Operations Group - Maritime Wing - Air Wing - European Defence Inforamtion |url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/Europeandefence/edcountries/countrycyprus.htm#Cypriot%20National%20Guard |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=www.armedforces.co.uk}} |- |[9S737M Ranzhir-M](/source/Ranzhir) |{{Flag|Russia}} |Mobile command center |center|200x200px |Unknown |Mobile Command Centre for the coordination of the TOR air defense network system {{Cite web |last=Chad |date=2011-10-01 |title=Cyprus National Day Military Parade |url=https://milinme.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/cyprus-national-day/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Military In the Middle East |language=en}} |- ! colspan="6" |[Anti-aircraft artillery](/source/Anti-aircraft_warfare) |- |[GDF-005](/source/Oerlikon_GDF) |{{Flag|Switzerland}} |[Anti-aircraft gun](/source/Anti-aircraft_warfare) |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |24 |2x[35mm](/source/AHEAD_ammunition) anti-aircraft gun. Part of the Skyguard (Othellos) system along [Aspide](/source/Aspide) SAMs. |- |[Zastava M-55](/source/Zastava_M55) |{{Flag|Yugoslavia}} |[Anti-aircraft gun](/source/Anti-aircraft_warfare) |center|frameless|200x200px | align="center" |50 |3x20mm anti-aircraft gun. |} In 1998 two [S-300 PMU1](/source/S-300_(missile)) systems were delivered, but then transferred to [Hellenic Air Force](/source/Hellenic_Air_Force) that same year due to political considerations regarding the [Cyprus Missile Crisis](/source/Cyprus_Missile_Crisis). == Aerial incidents between Cyprus and Turkey == === Paphos Incident – 22 October 2000 === On 22 October 2000, [Tor-M1](/source/Tor-M1) air-defense batteries operated by the [Cyprus National Guard](/source/Cyprus_National_Guard) at Papandreou Air Base tracked a pair of Turkish warplanes detected approaching the airbase by "[locking on](/source/missile_lock-on)" to them. By Jean Christou, Cyprus Mail, 7 April 2002. The action of engaging the Turkish aircraft with radar forced the warplanes to retreat from the area, as [Greek Cypriot](/source/Greek_Cypriot) and [Greek](/source/Greece) forces conducted joint military maneuvers in the [Paphos](/source/Paphos) region. The incident prompted an angry outburst from the [Turkish Cypriot](/source/Turkish_Cypriot) leader, Rauf Denktaş, who was reported in the media to have condemned the radar lock-on as a provocation that could lead to war.{{cite news|title=Denktash Warns of War Risk|author=Alex Efty|work=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)|date=24 October 2000|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denktash-warns-of-war-risk-635037.html|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042120/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denktash-warns-of-war-risk-635037.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}} === Paphos Incident – 5 April 2002 === It was variously reported in the [Cyprus](/source/Cyprus) media that combat [radars](/source/radars) of the [Cyprus National Guard](/source/Cyprus_National_Guard), based at Papandreou Air Base in [Paphos](/source/Paphos), had tracked two Turkish [F-16](/source/F-16_Fighting_Falcon) warplanes at 11am on 5 April 2002, by "locking-on" to them. The two [Turkish](/source/Turkey) aircraft were reported to have incurred into the [Nicosia](/source/Nicosia) [Flight Information Region](/source/Flight_Information_Region) and then passed directly over the [Greek Cypriot](/source/Greek_Cypriot) airbase at an altitude of 3500 feet. Upon realizing that they were being tracked, the two Turkish aircraft turned back towards Turkey, and then returned to their airbase. === Cyprus EEZ - 18 August 2022 === On 18 August 2022, [Cypriot](/source/Cyprus) and [Greek](/source/Greece) radars spotted a [Turkish Navy](/source/Turkish_Naval_Forces) [ATR 72](/source/ATR_72) whilst flying over Block 6 of the [exclusive economic zone of Cyprus](/source/exclusive_economic_zone_of_Cyprus). According to media sources, the plane did a low pass at 4,500 [feet](/source/Foot_(unit)), however a Cypriot official claimed that the plane did no such thing and remained at 29,000.{{cite web |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/08/18/turkish-spy-plane-makes-low-pass-over-cyprus-eez/ |title=Turkish 'spy plane' makes low pass over Cyprus' EEZ | Cyprus Mail}} ==Ranks== {{main|Cyprus military ranks}} ===Commissioned officer ranks=== The rank insignia of [commissioned officer](/source/commissioned_officer)s. {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Cyprus}} |} ===Other ranks=== The rank insignia of [non-commissioned officer](/source/non-commissioned_officer)s and [enlisted personnel](/source/Enlisted_rank). {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Cyprus}} |} == See also == * [Armoured vehicles of the Cypriot National Guard](/source/Armoured_vehicles_of_the_Cypriot_National_Guard) * [Cypriot National Guard](/source/Cypriot_National_Guard) * [Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center](/source/Cyprus_Joint_Rescue_Coordination_Center) * [List of equipment of the Cypriot National Guard](/source/List_of_equipment_of_the_Cypriot_National_Guard) == References == {{Reflist}} == Sources == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013150120/http://www.army.gov.cy/index.php?id=13 Cyprus National Guard Official website (Air Force section – in Greek)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090118232856/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/cyprus/af/cypaf2.htm Cyprus Air Force] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090529052603/http://www.scramble.nl/cy.htm Cyprus National Guard, Air Force Command] * {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120529201241/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_454.shtml Tom Cooper "Cyprus, 1955–1973"]}}, ACIG Journal * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040220181557/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_296.shtml Tom Cooper & Nicholas Tselepidis "Cyprus 1974"]}}, ACIG Journal * [http://www.ridder.aero/article/cypriot-gunships-450-squadron/ Dirk Jan de Ridder "Cypriot Gunships"], Ridder.aero * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101019110438/http://strategy-geopolitics.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-post_2518.html Air Defence of Cyprus (in Greek)] {{Cypriot Military}} {{Air forces in Europe}} {{Air forces}} {{Authority control}} Air Forces Air Category:Air forces by country --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cyprus Air Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Air_Command) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Air_Command?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.