Cyprus Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 97th
MPR SCORE: 287
MPR Index: 0.0884 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8640 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.429 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Cyprus ranks 97th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its primary armed force, the Cypriot National Guard, is organized around a doctrine of territorial defense, with a longstanding focus on deterring aggression from Turkey and defending the southern part of the island. Cyprus maintains a conscription-based force structure, augmented by reserves, modernized ground assets, and interoperability with Greek forces under the Joint Defense Doctrine.
While not structured for regional projection, Cyprus maintains a capable home-defense military, supplemented by air and naval surveillance, and supported by foreign military infrastructure. The island hosts the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) and radar installations that offer connectivity with NATO early warning systems, despite Cyprus not being a NATO member. This hybrid environment creates a defense posture built around fortified deterrence, rapid mobilization, and strategic depth through alliances.
Strengths
1. Territorial Defense Specialization
The Cypriot military is trained for urban warfare, mountain defense, and coastal fortification, making it highly effective in the confined geography of the island. Defensive doctrine focuses on holding key terrain and resisting amphibious or airborne assault.
2. Conscription and Reserve System
Cyprus operates a mandatory conscription policy, enabling the country to maintain a robust trained reserve force ready for rapid mobilization. This allows the military to scale its numbers quickly during periods of heightened tension.
3. Greek Military Integration and Western Infrastructure
Under the Greece–Cyprus Joint Defense Doctrine, Cypriot forces conduct joint training, share intelligence, and coordinate logistics with the Hellenic Armed Forces. Cyprus also hosts British bases, radar stations, and other Western military infrastructure enhancing situational awareness and regional surveillance.
Why Cyprus Is Still Ranked 97th
1. Lack of Strategic Depth and Scale
Cyprus has a small military footprint, constrained by geography and population size. It lacks the force depth, armor, and long-range strike capabilities necessary to engage in sustained or offensive operations.
2. No Combat Air Force or Advanced Naval Assets
Cyprus operates no fighter aircraft, relying instead on anti-aircraft defenses and surveillance radars. The Cyprus Navy consists of coastal patrol craft with limited anti-surface capabilities, restricting deterrence at sea.
3. Dependence on External Support
Cyprus's defense strategy relies heavily on foreign partnerships, particularly with Greece, the United Kingdom, and Western military advisors. While this strengthens security, it also limits operational autonomy.
Conclusion
Cyprus’s military posture reflects a resilient, terrain-anchored defense force, designed for homeland security and strategic deterrence in a highly volatile regional context. Despite limited resources and a small active force, Cyprus compensates through modernization, joint planning with Greece, and its role within broader Western surveillance and defense networks. Its ranking reflects limited expeditionary capability but recognizes its well-structured internal defense model and realistic force readiness against the backdrop of persistent geopolitical friction.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 12,000
Reserve Personnel: 75,000
Paramilitary Forces: 6,000 (coast guard and special police units)
Army Personnel: 9,000
Navy Personnel: 1,200
Air Force Personnel: 1,800
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 80+ (T-80U, AMX-30 variants)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 300+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 250+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 20+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 12+
Transport Aircraft: Limited
Training Aircraft: Light fixed-wing trainers
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mil Mi-35P Hind-E Attack Helicopters: 11
Bell 206 and 412 Helicopters: Multiple
PC-9M Training Aircraft: Limited service
Naval Forces
Warships: 10+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 2
Patrol Boats and Coastal Craft: 10+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Offshore Patrol Vessels: 2
Fast Attack Craft: Several
Coast Guard Boats: Active in coastal and anti-smuggling roles
Missile Capabilities
Cyprus maintains a limited missile defense capability, including short-range air defense systems and coastal anti-ship missiles. It previously operated the Russian S-300 system, later transferred to Greece. Current systems include short-range SAMs and tactical anti-tank missile platforms, such as MILAN and Kornet.
Strategic Partnerships
Cyprus maintains strong military ties with Greece, France, and Israel, and has growing cooperation with Egypt and the United States. It participates in EU defense initiatives and regional naval drills in the Eastern Mediterranean, often alongside NATO members despite not being a member of the alliance itself.
Military History & Combat Experience
Cyprus’s military history is defined by inter-communal violence, external intervention, and a persistent standoff with Turkey. Though it has not fought international wars in recent decades, Cyprus maintains a state of readiness shaped by real conflict.
Cypriot Intercommunal Conflict (1963–1974):
Tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots escalated into widespread violence in the 1960s. The National Guard, supported by Greece, clashed with Turkish Cypriot militias, especially in mixed-ethnic towns and strategic corridors. The period established the doctrine of urban defense and rapid mobilization still in use today.Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (1974):
In response to a Greek-backed coup, Turkey launched a two-phase military invasion, seizing 37% of the island, including Kyrenia and Famagusta. The National Guard fought hard in a losing battle, facing Turkish airstrikes, naval landings, and mechanized assaults. The conflict resulted in de facto partition, with the Green Line separating the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-occupied north.Post-1974 Military Standoff and Green Line Deployment (1975–present):
Since the invasion, Cyprus has maintained a heavily fortified buffer zone overseen by UNFICYP. The National Guard remains in a continuous state of alert, conducting border patrols, readiness drills, and interoperability exercises with Greece. No active hostilities have occurred, but the military remains functionally mobilized.Joint Defense Exercises and Air Defense Upgrades (1990s–present):
In the late 1990s, Cyprus began modernizing its air defense network, including procurement of TOR-M1 and anti-aircraft radar systems. The military regularly conducts joint exercises such as Nikiforos-Toxotis with Greek air and naval forces, reinforcing defense planning in the event of renewed conflict.
Cyprus’s military experience is shaped by a real history of invasion, urban defense, and defensive posturing under long-term geopolitical threat. Though it has not engaged in active warfare since 1974, its forces remain vigilant and trained to respond to external aggression, with an emphasis on homeland defense and deterrent resilience.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~1.3 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~500,000
Geographic Area: 9,251 km²
Land Boundaries: 150 km
Bordering Countries: None (island); divided with Turkish-controlled North Cyprus
Coastline: 648 km
Climate: Mediterranean; hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Terrain: Central plain with mountains to north and south; coastal plains
Natural Resources: Copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land, offshore gas
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~6–8 trillion cubic feet (disputed, offshore)
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$750 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$45 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$35,000
External Debt: ~$21 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increasing due to tensions with Turkey and regional security
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (14 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, Turkey deterrence, regional security
Military Industry Base: Limited; relies on imports
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into regional commands under National Guard
Missile Inventory Highlights: TOW, Mistral, Kornet, Exocet
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: High readiness; activated within 15–30 days
Reservist Force Size: ~75,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Guard Intelligence Branch
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: EU, Greece, Israel
Airports (Total): ~9
Major Military Airports: Larnaca, Paphos, Andreas Papandreou AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~900 vessels
Major Ports: Limassol, Larnaca
Naval Infrastructure: Patrol vessels, OPVs, coastal defense units
Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional; limited endurance
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~20,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High; liquefied gas terminals under construction
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains IEA-compliant reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Light arms and maintenance facilities
Military Installations (Domestic): Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: British bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Defense Alliances: EU, bilateral with Greece, Israel, France
Strategic Airlift Capability: Relies on partners
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; electronic systems, surveillance
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Port logistics, petroleum terminals, energy exploration
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Nicosia
Founding Date: August 16, 1960 (independence from UK)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
