CYPRUS: Defence budget cut by 8% in 5 years

The defence budget of Cyprus was reduced by almost 8% between 2010 and 2015, according to the annual report of the Cyprus Centre for Strategic Studies.

The report notes that for every Greek Cypriot National Guardsman there are 3.4 Turkish soldiers and adds that while the military situation in Cyprus remains basically unchanged since 2002, in terms of defence expenditure there have been drastic reductions on the side of the Cyprus government due to political and economic considerations.
Defence budget declined from €345.4 mln in 2010 to €318.9 mln in 2015, while armaments and maintenance have been reduced from €105.4 mln to €68.7 mln for the corresponding years.
According to the report, the pressure on military expenditure is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.
In terms of military personnel, in 2015 the National Guard numbered between 8,500 and 12,500 and 50,000 reservists. The entire human military resources in the Republic, including the Greek continget ELDYK of 950 soldiers, is estimated at 63,450.
The Turkish troops total 43,000, with 3,500 Turkish Cypriot conscripts and 26,000 reservists. The total number of the military personnel on the Turkish side stands at 72,500.
As regards battle tanks, the National Guard currently has 164, compared to 348 of the Turkish Forces.
As regards naval and air force presence, the Turkish Air Force and Navy enjoy extreme superiority in the Cyprus theatre both in the air and the sea.